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My Recent Eczema Flareup

Filed Under Eczema Treatment, Eczema Skin Symptoms, Eczema Pictures, Eczema Diet, Eczema Symptoms, Natural Eczema Treatment

I seem to be having another round of mild eczema attack, although at a much smaller scale. The affected parts are now pretty much localised to my right and left heel and a spot on my upper right leg, that refused to go away even after 2 months. I had gotten a cut sometime ago on my upper right leg and I started to scratch it. The spot soon became bigger and as it appears today, it is about a circle measuring a radius of about 2 cm of slightly reddened and darkened skin, occassionally itching around the edges.

Here is my latest eczema picture on the heel of my right leg…

I attribute one of the triggers to food. I’ve become less vigiliant over the last 3-5 months as I just could not resist tucking in to a few of my known food triggers. If you need to know, I’ve got a weakness for sambal (chilli fried with dried prawns). It has been difficult for me to resist laksa or sambal chicken while watching my husband eat these delicacies! Not many hours later after some of these meals, I could feel a tingling sensation that soon set off a mild level of itch.

What luck, I thought, here’s my chance to do more investigation so that I can truly erradicate eczema.

So a couple of days ago, I consulted a Naturopathic doctor, who as I found out later, was also an ex-eczema sufferer. Dr Sebastian Liew runs the clinic somewhere near Holland Village, which is not too far from where I live.

I also brought my younger daugther along with me. She had been having a round of itching around the creases of the inside of her elbow.

As it was our first consultation, I had to fill up questionaires about our medical history. The questionaire was very thorough, asking everything from emotional to physical ailments previously suffered. Dr Liew explained that an eczema treatment is best based on a holistic approach because mental states such as emotional stress could also contribute to a flareup.

His diagnosis? Dr Liew observed that my case was at best mild. He recommended that I take the food allergy and leaky gut tests. A food allergy test will help to determine what food substances I should be avoiding, while a leaky gut test will help determine whether my gut is leaky and in need of repair. Dr Liew explained that the food allergy test done will require a blood sample.

My previous food allergy test was made using a non-invastive bio-feedback testing system known as the Avatar, done at least 3 years ago. (For those who are interested in finding out more about the Avatar, please refer to this site runned by Shazar Robinson, a practitioner from Australia whom I consult whenever she stops by in Singapore).

Just the thought of having blood taken from me, and even for the slighest dose, is enough to make me squeamish. I decided to give the food allergy test a skip as the cost of doing it is prohibitive and I was wondering if I could still rely on the results of my previous test with the Avatar. Perhaps I should check with Shazaar on its continued validity, I thought.

In the end, I bought only the kit for the leaky gut test plus the following supplements as recommended by Dr Liew:

1) EFAs (essential fatty acid)
EFAs help to hydrate the skin from the inside. The supplement that he put us on is a blend of evening primrose and fish oils.

2) Centella
Centella is a herb that is known to aid in the healing and repairing of skin wounds.

3) Probiotics.
Probiotics is to help improve gut flora, which may be in a state of imbalance causing eczema to show up as an indication.

4) Triphala.
Triphala is a blend of three Ayurvedic herbs (herada, amla and behada) used to promote digestion and for cleansing. It is also used to tonify the colon, thereby aiding in internal cleansing naturally.

For topical application, he prescribed me a spray which is made out of wheatgrass. As I’ve previously reported, wheatgrass has excellent skin enhancing properties due to its high chlorophyll content, found to be beneficial for detoxification.

For my daugther, Dr Liew suggested that she take the EFAs, probiotics as well as to topically apply wheatgrass cream.

Well, I came home laden with all these goodies. I had expected the consultation to be a short one but as it turned out, the visit lasted 1 1/2 hours. My daugther and I have started on our cocktail of supplements but it will be too prelimnary at this point to say if they are helpful or not. However, do stay tuned over the next few days on a post about the leaky gut test which I’ll be taking.

Comments

8 Responses to “My Recent Eczema Flareup”

Beatrice Chew on March 28th, 2008 12:45 pm

I went for a full blood test for allergy at the National Skin Centre and found that I do not have allergy to any food including lobster!

However these days I tried serrapeptse or Danzan which is derived from silkworm and my eczema is getting controlled. Danzan apparently helps with all inflammation and eczema is skin inflammation. I also use a bateria soap called Aesop and plenty of moisturisers and it helps.
Lets take a look at Naturopathic Doctors » Blog Archive » ‘naturopathic doctor’ on the web on March 28th, 2008 5:53 pm

[…] http://www.eczemaskintreatment.com/2008/03/28/my-recent-eczema-flareup/So a couple of days ago, I consulted a Naturopathic doctor, who as I found out later, was also an ex-eczema sufferer. Dr Sebastian Liew runs the clinic somewhere near Holland Village, which is not too far from where I live. … […]
John Wong on March 29th, 2008 8:17 am

Hi Evelyn,
Thank you for continuing to email me even though I hardly give you any feedback. I’m not surprised by this recent flareup of yours. I doubt whether eczema can be completely eradicated. You see, for the last 5 months I have been on aziathtropin (Imuran). 2 months after taking Imuran, my eczema practically disappeared. Even my skin was no longer dry, itchy & prone to cracking. But knowing that I cannot go on taking this immunosuppressive drug indefinitely, my doctor asked me to reduce/taper off. Now, I am beginning to to get mild fareup esp at my heels & top of my legs. After I had weaned off the drug I may go back to square one.
One therapy that I am keen to start on is far infra red sauna. It is claimed to be very effective in detoxifying & has worked for many eczema sufferers. Have you researched into this? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
John
Lets take a look at Naturopathic Doctors » Blog Archive » Quick scan of the net - naturopathic doctor on March 29th, 2008 6:46 pm

[…] http://www.eczemaskintreatment.com/2008/03/28/my-recent-eczema-flareup/So a couple of days ago, I consulted a Naturopathic doctor, who as I found out later, was also an ex-eczema sufferer. Dr Sebastian Liew runs the clinic somewhere near Holland Village, which is not too far from where I live. … […]
Vera Cheeks on March 30th, 2008 6:47 am

what kind of treatment is the wheatgrass…and can I get it in Orlando florida?
Jen on March 31st, 2008 2:11 pm

Hi there,
Very interesting, as I’ve always suspected Leaky Gut Syndrome in my baby/and or me, due to chronic severe eczema with my baby.
I had no idea that you could purchse a kit and do it at home. Can I purchase one online?
Serene Chan on April 1st, 2008 1:57 am

Hi Evelyn,
How much did you spend in all ?
What is the address of the clinic ? Maybe I wanna go see him too.

I’ve got eczema outbreak recent on my whole body, my tights, arms and stomach area. Very itchy and I can’t put a lot of steriod cream becos I’m pregnant.

Thanks!
admin on April 16th, 2008 2:38 am

Hello John, I am inspired by my dream to cure myself eczema completely. Hence, it is important to me to understand eczema thoroughly. I would not have started this site if it is not because of my desire and to share my findings. I have not looked into infra red sauna. In my case, my recent flareup does not warrant checking into it. However, from a research perspective, I may investigate what it is and whether it really helps some time later.

Vera, I do not know if DrWheatgrass is sold in the States. You can try checking out the website. As it is, I got mine from the doctor.

Serene, check the website slnaturopath.com. Consultation cost is reasonable, less than $100 for my case. But it is the supplements and the leaky gut test that are costly.

Jen, I do not know whether you can get the kit online. I’ve been intending to do it for some time and have always thought that it is best to go through an ND. In any case, I would think it will be a good idea to consult a doctor for a recommendation on what to do, if there is really a problem with the leaky gut.

Evelyn