Another eczema & psoriasis flare-up
As some of you already know, I am "blessed" with eczema and psoriasis. I've always chosen to remain quiet about it, but have realised over time that sharing my experience has helped the people around me understand while keeping self-esteem issues at bay. So if you've got it, speak up and don't be afraid.
I grew up with dry skin. I have a vague recollection of my childhood with eczema; nothing too severe according to my mother. During the winter period of 2000, I suffered a major psoriasis breakout around my torso. This was while I was completing my final year at the Nottingham Trent University. In hindsight, it was probably stress-related. Graduating with a first-class honours degree in engineering was a mere consolation =)
I've had a few flare-ups over the past couple of years but have managed to keep it at bay with topical steroid treatments, and a variety of off-the-shelf treatments. In 2005, I found a skin specialist that I was finally comfortable with -- Dr. LP Tan based in TTDI, KL. In addition, I have managed to identify stress as one of the triggers and that has lead to new ways of managing my life.
However, my skin is acting up again! Over the past fortnight, I have suffered from a major eczema flare-up. The itch has become unbearable over the past few days, despite moisturizing. While I doubt it's stress this time around, I am guessing it's probably in relation to poor diet.
I've just spent a sleepless night, but hopefully things will change for the better soon. I am embarking on an elimination diet, to try and pinpoint the food chemical trigger(s). Over the next fortnight, I'll be sticking to a vegetarian diet, and staying away from milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, yeast, seafood and food with preservatives. This also means staying away from booze, although I suspect this is going to be very difficult with the New Year celebrations over the coming weekend =P
There are lots of links on the web with regards to eczema and psoriasis. I'd recommend Wikipedia to start with, as well as Evelyn Lim's blog: Eczema Skin Treatment.
By the way, it doesn't spread. So don't worry -- we can still hang out!
I grew up with dry skin. I have a vague recollection of my childhood with eczema; nothing too severe according to my mother. During the winter period of 2000, I suffered a major psoriasis breakout around my torso. This was while I was completing my final year at the Nottingham Trent University. In hindsight, it was probably stress-related. Graduating with a first-class honours degree in engineering was a mere consolation =)
I've had a few flare-ups over the past couple of years but have managed to keep it at bay with topical steroid treatments, and a variety of off-the-shelf treatments. In 2005, I found a skin specialist that I was finally comfortable with -- Dr. LP Tan based in TTDI, KL. In addition, I have managed to identify stress as one of the triggers and that has lead to new ways of managing my life.
However, my skin is acting up again! Over the past fortnight, I have suffered from a major eczema flare-up. The itch has become unbearable over the past few days, despite moisturizing. While I doubt it's stress this time around, I am guessing it's probably in relation to poor diet.
I've just spent a sleepless night, but hopefully things will change for the better soon. I am embarking on an elimination diet, to try and pinpoint the food chemical trigger(s). Over the next fortnight, I'll be sticking to a vegetarian diet, and staying away from milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, yeast, seafood and food with preservatives. This also means staying away from booze, although I suspect this is going to be very difficult with the New Year celebrations over the coming weekend =P
There are lots of links on the web with regards to eczema and psoriasis. I'd recommend Wikipedia to start with, as well as Evelyn Lim's blog: Eczema Skin Treatment.
By the way, it doesn't spread. So don't worry -- we can still hang out!
posted by Praveen at
6:57 AM
8 Comments:
hello
so i've finally found your blog.*grin*. if you have still not found your trigger, there is an allergy test that you can take. i think its available at HUKM. they test you out for a bout 30 different things that you could be allergic to,and its faster then a diet :).
Hey, thanks for dropping by! And thank you for the tip on HUKM. I'm happy to report that my condition has been clearing up significantly. At this point, I'm guessing it's in relation to the evening primrose + fish oil tablets that I've been consuming on a daily basis. Coincidentally, I also consulted an Ayurvedic doctor this morning. There's a new list of things I can't eat, which I have to stick to for the next week and probably as long as I believe in the *system*.
Hi,
My name is Dom. I'm also a psoriasis patient. I'm intending to kick start an internet forum for psoriasis (http://psoriasismalaysia.editboard.com) Perhaps you can drop by and participate. Looking forward to hear from you. Among one of the topics we can discuss is diet as I'm currently/was on the "Pagano" diet. Do drop by when convenient.
Dom, thanks for dropping by. Good effort on the new forum. Will drop by to contribute.
Hi Praveen
I was reading your post and wondered what foos the Ayurvedic Doctor advised to stay away from?
Thanks-Andrew
@Andrew: Can't recall clearly, but the one's that I remember were sour and pungent food items. Especially the sour Indian yogurt, brinjals, etc. Have you tried any specific diet? Drop me an email if you'd like to chat more: emailme at praveenrajan dot com
hi praveen how are you so how is your improvement now
@bono: I'm doing much better today. I'm back to eating most things, but in moderation (not always!). I believe my flare-ups were due to stress - it's been a good year thus far =)
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