So off all tablets now.
Have developed a mild rash on the back at the end of day 6 on
antibiotics but completed a course. Concerned this is an allergic response to penicillin. This
is the 3rd time I have taken antibiotics in my life.
The March rash is more in check. Well I have been burning it off with a fungal cream and tablets. Let's hope that continues. The bonus is the IBS seems to have cleared up.
Can't believe the skin around the eyes are slightly swollen and
whites are back to looking irritated. Probably due to the itchiness in
the eyes. The face has returned to itchiness. Obviously if you change nothing else, symptoms return. The January rash (normal eczema) has also returned to itch mode!
Okay I have had my temporary madness and desperation of returning to vile medications (I am human!).....I will look at it as cleaning out the entire system - the bad and good stuff.
Time to fight this all off with an improved diet. (yes I let my diet slip in November 2015) and let's see if I can rebuild all my good bacteria back with strong dosages of probiotics. And hoping the foods will take care of rebuilding my immunity.
Looking forward to eating home grown vegetable:
- Rocket, lettuce, mustard leaves
- Tomatoes
- Beans
- Courgettes
Loads of berries in the garden now :)
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
Day 6 of Antibiotics and Antifungal
The Flucloxacillin Antibiotics (500mg) really taste and smell "yuck". Must remember to get some probiotic bacteria to replace my good bacteria.
The Fluconazole anti-fungal tablet neither tastes nor smells.
The February face rash appears to be withdrawing. Additionally the excessive skin droppings has also become nothing. The January rash is tagging along.
The March rash has also improved greatly. Although this is an area that I have also been applying Daktacort (2% miconazole nitrate and 1% hydrocrotisone). For the first 4 days I applied the cream morning and night. I have now been applying it once a day. The skin now looks dark brown as if I have a tan rather than like an almost black colour.
Whites of Eyes and Stomach
I have also noticed the whites of my eyes appear more white. Way back in March 2016, my little nephew asked me why my eyes were so yellow. They have looked yellow for soo long, I thought it was from tiredness. My skin colour looked normal so in my self diagnosis didn't think much more. Which brings me to the stomach. November 2015 I had Salmonella poisoning. It was horrible and my gut has never really recovered from it. Though I did take some probiotic tablets which appeared to help somewhat. Yes my gut seems to be way better, so can only attribute that to the antibiotics am taking.
My system was probably beginning to veer out of control and I continually ignored symptoms. So I am thankful to the March rash for being so persistent that I was forced to the GP and although my doc is sorting out the one rash, the rest of my body has thankfully benefitted.
I have one more day on the anti-fungal and 8 more days on the antibiotics.
The Fluconazole anti-fungal tablet neither tastes nor smells.
The February face rash appears to be withdrawing. Additionally the excessive skin droppings has also become nothing. The January rash is tagging along.
The March rash has also improved greatly. Although this is an area that I have also been applying Daktacort (2% miconazole nitrate and 1% hydrocrotisone). For the first 4 days I applied the cream morning and night. I have now been applying it once a day. The skin now looks dark brown as if I have a tan rather than like an almost black colour.
Whites of Eyes and Stomach
I have also noticed the whites of my eyes appear more white. Way back in March 2016, my little nephew asked me why my eyes were so yellow. They have looked yellow for soo long, I thought it was from tiredness. My skin colour looked normal so in my self diagnosis didn't think much more. Which brings me to the stomach. November 2015 I had Salmonella poisoning. It was horrible and my gut has never really recovered from it. Though I did take some probiotic tablets which appeared to help somewhat. Yes my gut seems to be way better, so can only attribute that to the antibiotics am taking.
My system was probably beginning to veer out of control and I continually ignored symptoms. So I am thankful to the March rash for being so persistent that I was forced to the GP and although my doc is sorting out the one rash, the rest of my body has thankfully benefitted.
I have one more day on the anti-fungal and 8 more days on the antibiotics.
Monday, 4 July 2016
A Case of 3 Rashes
Perhaps all the folk offering me different potions wanted me back here as I rejected all of them! Okay that's a little cynical eh ;)
During January a small bit of eczema came back inside the elbow. I accepted this as one of those things that I could sort out. I was able to control it.
During February a small rash appeared on my forehead and by June had spread to around my eyes and cheeks. My tears appeared to burn my skin and yet I had hardly scratched my skin and soon it was in a cycle of shedding skin for the sake of shedding. I felt I had dandruff on my face and around the left eye, it felt there was something crawling underneath.
During March something weird was happening on my butt cheeks. I thought it was ring worm so treated it with an anti-fungal cream. It got worst. After 4 weeks I treated it with an antiseptic, this reduced the itching and appeared to heal the skin. Unfortunately it spread round to my groin and soon on my thigh and began spreading upwards. This rash turned my skin very dark (my mother says it looked black and I am pretty fair skinned). I observed that eating sugary sweet foods seemed to be feeding my March rash.
Even more irritating each rash responded differently.
I finally gave up on the March and Feb rash and went to the doc at the end of June. Yep kicking and screaming.
The doc took one look and agreed that it seems I have been nurturing mushrooms....(sick attempt at humour). Yes doc said immediately - fungal infection!
I knew what the doc would prescribe - hydrocortisone.....combined with an anti-fungal cream as well as antibiotics for 14 days and an anti-fungal pill for 7 days.
I am on day 3 and applying the anti-fungal hydrocortisone only to the March rash. The aim is to do it for twice a day for the first 3 days and then to reduce to once a day after the next 2 days and then to reduce to once every other day. I really have no idea if this will ensure my skin does not become addicted to hydrocortisone again but at least I have been able to sleep.
The January and Feb rashes appear to be sorting themselves out without applying anything further. It might be the anti-fungal tablet is sorting out the February rash and the better sleep is sorting out the January rash.
Am sure I'll do an update later. After all I was supposed to have created a new section.....well writing takes time....so I thought I should work first, blog later.
Hope all your skin is feeling great.
During January a small bit of eczema came back inside the elbow. I accepted this as one of those things that I could sort out. I was able to control it.
During February a small rash appeared on my forehead and by June had spread to around my eyes and cheeks. My tears appeared to burn my skin and yet I had hardly scratched my skin and soon it was in a cycle of shedding skin for the sake of shedding. I felt I had dandruff on my face and around the left eye, it felt there was something crawling underneath.
During March something weird was happening on my butt cheeks. I thought it was ring worm so treated it with an anti-fungal cream. It got worst. After 4 weeks I treated it with an antiseptic, this reduced the itching and appeared to heal the skin. Unfortunately it spread round to my groin and soon on my thigh and began spreading upwards. This rash turned my skin very dark (my mother says it looked black and I am pretty fair skinned). I observed that eating sugary sweet foods seemed to be feeding my March rash.
Even more irritating each rash responded differently.
I finally gave up on the March and Feb rash and went to the doc at the end of June. Yep kicking and screaming.
The doc took one look and agreed that it seems I have been nurturing mushrooms....(sick attempt at humour). Yes doc said immediately - fungal infection!
I knew what the doc would prescribe - hydrocortisone.....combined with an anti-fungal cream as well as antibiotics for 14 days and an anti-fungal pill for 7 days.
I am on day 3 and applying the anti-fungal hydrocortisone only to the March rash. The aim is to do it for twice a day for the first 3 days and then to reduce to once a day after the next 2 days and then to reduce to once every other day. I really have no idea if this will ensure my skin does not become addicted to hydrocortisone again but at least I have been able to sleep.
The January and Feb rashes appear to be sorting themselves out without applying anything further. It might be the anti-fungal tablet is sorting out the February rash and the better sleep is sorting out the January rash.
Am sure I'll do an update later. After all I was supposed to have created a new section.....well writing takes time....so I thought I should work first, blog later.
Hope all your skin is feeling great.
Friday, 22 January 2016
New Sections Being Created
I thought I wanted to finish with this blog as my skin overall feels pretty awesome though I do need to continue to keep up the life regime to keep the "rash" from ever smacking around my system ever again......but a dude whose code name is Rick researched "eczema" for his PhD and asked me if I'd be interested in seeing if his thesis can help someone out in the big wide world. I thought about it and thought it would be useful to compare the views of those who have tried to understand this disorder and compare it from my own experience.
So am going to share what his research has understood about chronic eczema........atopic eczema.....atopic dermatitis.
However think these are pretty good as stickies. So enjoy the new posts as pages :)
Monday, 18 January 2016
The Train Man
As I commuted on the train back from work, I noticed a man incessantly scratching and applying a "nasty cream" (that is my opinion as it did not help relieve his vigourous scratching on his face, ears and hands). His skin had that odour of skin that had been weeping.....I felt sad as I watched him fight himself. So I thought I'd provide myself as a distraction.....I sat next to him and talked about his condition and my condition. He asked me what I did to drastically reduce my symptoms and I said "hard work/trial and error". I started off with my diet and immediately he told me how he loves his food and likes a couple pints of beer after work. He wouldn't want to change that.
So I told him, at the end of the day it is your choice about whether you want to heal properly or not. The quick "medical" fixes will only be temporary for our long term eczematic conditions. I am thankful that I am able to adapt and change. Not wanting to change and adapt your lifestyle is an obstacle to your healing ability. The sooner you get over it, the sooner you will find out how you can heal yourself.
He then shared with me that the doctors had "given up" on his condition and the only thing was to increase his steroid dosage to get temporary relief.
I smiled and told him to write a blog about his condition so that he can observe/reflect on what is going on. At the end of the day, it is down to you to fix it. The doctors really can only guide you and give you a quick fix.
In my opinion the quick "medical" fixes are a waste of money. I am so much happier with the long term healing I have found in diet, herbal teas, non-usage of soaps, washing powder (non bio), keeping the dust levels low in my room and so many more things.
Anyhow the distraction worked and as we conversed he scratched less and less. By the time he had come to his stop, he had completely stopped scratching :) Distrations are great when we're itchy so that we focus less on the itch.
Saturday, 16 January 2016
Ahhh I have not defeated winter yet.
Before I continue this post, I want to talk about the folk who are leaving comments. Firstly thank you for reading my blog posts. However to commenters who want to give me sample products, that is great. Let's list some of the freebies you have offered:
- Soaps: I am not using them any more except on my hands and down below!
- Creams: I tried using "natural creams" when my eczema was improving, (only ingredients were jojba oil and shea butter). I was so itchy after using it. I will now only use creams that have gone through my test. No itchiness
Winter has always meant my skin quality worsens and the skin seems to tingle more with itchiness with the short days of sunlight, the cold dampness and the dreaded heating. This is true of this winter, however with the healing of my skin going into winter, it has been more resistant to the winter effects. Thus I slackened.
DIET
Last year I had learned about a ketosis diet and so I increased my medium chained triglycerides (MCT) fats in my food (uncooked olive oil; rapeseed and coconut oil for frying) and eating less carbohydrates. This may have added to my skin feeling silkier. I did not gain or lose any weight. The verdict on whether carbs reduces inflammation or not seems to have a mixed response when researching on the web and might be due to who is sponsoring the research! Anyhow you might find these 2 articles of interest:
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/83/4/774.full
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140508095415.htm
Though the last study is a conclusion of patients with type 2 diabetes we can learn from all disorders that are food related as think these will exerate the things that are going on in our own bodies.
Notice-ably I have been "carb-bing" much more over the festive season and had a whole load of cakes and "crap" left over from the Christmas period which I didn't want wasted. There would appear to be a down turn in my skin quality since the change over of a higher carb diet.
Am now returning to my pre-festive diet - higher in MCT fat and veg and much less carbs and some protein.
OUTDOOR/EXERCISE
I was out most of the time last year winter, doing something. This time round the grey days and rain has kept me inside. The rashes have reappeared on my face and will need to return to taking vit D3 suppliments again or get me arse in gear to get outside. Endorphines are great too to help beat the winter blues.
I am very specific about the sun's effect on my face as I have found that if am indoors for a couple of days working (am a computer programmer), my eyes, cheeks and forehead can become itchy. The sunshine on my face tends to relieve that itch!
SLEEP
Eczema sufferers tend to lack good sleep. I have been taking a quarter of an anti-histamine pill when I feel any itchiness at night. This normally happens 2 weeks before my menstruation but has been feeling a little more regularly itchy with the increase in carbs.. Am now playing with arnica pills to see if that will ease off the itchiness and thus the skin inflammation.
Wishing those who are true eczema sufferers, less itchy days and enough distractions to scratch less.
Before I continue this post, I want to talk about the folk who are leaving comments. Firstly thank you for reading my blog posts. However to commenters who want to give me sample products, that is great. Let's list some of the freebies you have offered:
- Soaps: I am not using them any more except on my hands and down below!
- Creams: I tried using "natural creams" when my eczema was improving, (only ingredients were jojba oil and shea butter). I was so itchy after using it. I will now only use creams that have gone through my test. No itchiness
Winter has always meant my skin quality worsens and the skin seems to tingle more with itchiness with the short days of sunlight, the cold dampness and the dreaded heating. This is true of this winter, however with the healing of my skin going into winter, it has been more resistant to the winter effects. Thus I slackened.
DIET
Last year I had learned about a ketosis diet and so I increased my medium chained triglycerides (MCT) fats in my food (uncooked olive oil; rapeseed and coconut oil for frying) and eating less carbohydrates. This may have added to my skin feeling silkier. I did not gain or lose any weight. The verdict on whether carbs reduces inflammation or not seems to have a mixed response when researching on the web and might be due to who is sponsoring the research! Anyhow you might find these 2 articles of interest:
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/83/4/774.full
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140508095415.htm
Though the last study is a conclusion of patients with type 2 diabetes we can learn from all disorders that are food related as think these will exerate the things that are going on in our own bodies.
Notice-ably I have been "carb-bing" much more over the festive season and had a whole load of cakes and "crap" left over from the Christmas period which I didn't want wasted. There would appear to be a down turn in my skin quality since the change over of a higher carb diet.
Am now returning to my pre-festive diet - higher in MCT fat and veg and much less carbs and some protein.
OUTDOOR/EXERCISE
I was out most of the time last year winter, doing something. This time round the grey days and rain has kept me inside. The rashes have reappeared on my face and will need to return to taking vit D3 suppliments again or get me arse in gear to get outside. Endorphines are great too to help beat the winter blues.
I am very specific about the sun's effect on my face as I have found that if am indoors for a couple of days working (am a computer programmer), my eyes, cheeks and forehead can become itchy. The sunshine on my face tends to relieve that itch!
SLEEP
Eczema sufferers tend to lack good sleep. I have been taking a quarter of an anti-histamine pill when I feel any itchiness at night. This normally happens 2 weeks before my menstruation but has been feeling a little more regularly itchy with the increase in carbs.. Am now playing with arnica pills to see if that will ease off the itchiness and thus the skin inflammation.
Wishing those who are true eczema sufferers, less itchy days and enough distractions to scratch less.
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Well Maybe This is My Last Post because my skin feels amazing
I am sitting here writing an entry with now only one small spot of eczema.
I had to eat better for the last 4 weeks as was traveling. Had very little sugary snacks, very little processed stuff (unless a bag of prewashed leaves counts) and ate a diet high in fat with loads of vegetables, some protein and few carbs. And if there wasn't enough fat, I added olive oil. I'd also been resting more than usual. Well there's not a lot to do when you're just in places for work.
My skin all over feels silky and smooth even where I had eczema.
I have drastically reduced the amount of cream I use. So for all those people who want to provide me pots of cream to help relieve eczema......thank you for the offers. I think my skin is excellent.
Right now am in a good place and need to consider how to keep the diet and sleep as if am traveling now am back home. So easy to fall back into bad habits!
I had to eat better for the last 4 weeks as was traveling. Had very little sugary snacks, very little processed stuff (unless a bag of prewashed leaves counts) and ate a diet high in fat with loads of vegetables, some protein and few carbs. And if there wasn't enough fat, I added olive oil. I'd also been resting more than usual. Well there's not a lot to do when you're just in places for work.
My skin all over feels silky and smooth even where I had eczema.
I have drastically reduced the amount of cream I use. So for all those people who want to provide me pots of cream to help relieve eczema......thank you for the offers. I think my skin is excellent.
Right now am in a good place and need to consider how to keep the diet and sleep as if am traveling now am back home. So easy to fall back into bad habits!
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