Update
It has been a long hiatus and my blog has been dormant for months – almost five months have past!
Having crossed continents and settling into life back ‘home’ has taken a lot of getting used to, what with the extreme weather difference and hitting back into the culture which we have not been so immersed in since our stint in UK. It is inevitable that we are looking at every aspect of our lives with a new found consciousness. This is the uncomplicated part of our new lives.
Our current struggle lies in helping the Angel acclimatize to the sultry weather.
The two week tolerance level reached its peak upon our return and by the second week, her eczema took a turn for the worst and we have been going downhill and fluctuating since then. Currently, her body simply cannot adjust to the hot, hot weather here and she is a perpetual ‘furnace’.
In a nutshell, we went back to that elusive sleep, vicious cycle of scratching, broken skin, lots of crying, sadness, frustration. If life is anything to go by, it must be having a child who is enjoying her life and not suffering through it.
Again, I learn, all over, to cope with her eczema in an entirely new environment. I admit, I made the mistake of not following my maternal instinct, that maternal prompting.
When we were back, the Angel was on her eczema free days. She was a beautiful child and she was enjoying her time in Singapore. We spent two wonderful nights at the beautiful Amara Scantuary Resort at Sentosa before settling into a temporary home and then full time work for both of us.
By the time we started to settle into the routines of life here, and it was time for me to go to work, the Angel was still as beautiful. For the first time in our lives, we both had to leave her to my parents while we left for work. If we had a moment, I think we would have cried in each other’s arms. Our brief moments in the lift left us both so touched by her bravery and her adaptability. She gave us many hugs before we left but not a single whine or cry. She said her goodbyes so easily, we were the ones who felt we could not leave her behind. It wasn’t separation anxiety on our part, as someone out it, but rather, it was a kind of sadness in leaving her to someone else, albeit grandparents. I guess we were so used to having her with either of us.
Anyway, those were the good days.
All I can say now is, I did not stick to my maternal prompting and put my foot down on what I can say is a stop to allowing the eczema to flare up or perhaps, like the doctor said, there is a level of tolerance and by the end of the second week, I have a very broken child, whose physical body is overtaken by the severity of such acute eczema that emotionally, she is all broken and totally dependent on me.
I had to seek medical help, work from home, deal with a child who cannot cope with the environment. I retreated, once again, into my own world; I dreaded meeting people – it is true what I have said before, wherever I go, I get stares or advices from everyone who has something to say about her condition. Nothing makes it easier for me to explain to them that my child is currently suffering from severe eczema and yes, I am under the best medical care. I have recommendations from strangers to see doctors all over, even to KL or someone with something so hurtful to say (ouch!) about my child that frankly, I was no longer interested to go out.
For a long time, I fell into depression. I didn’t want to see anyone because no one understands what it means to have a child with eczema. I didn’t want to talk to anyone who thinks that I’m not doing anything right or who comes with advices that I have to follow. I didn’t want to socialise because no one understands my constraints and difficulties. I closed all doors and only those who are close enough and who understands all that emotional stress that I am going through are allowed in because I do not have any energy left to explain. I was simply overwhelmed with tiredness and my physical body is not at its tip to handle any of this in one go.
All I can say now is, things are looking up. I spend all my waking and sleeping moments on the Angel. My relentless efforts are aimed at building up her skin barrier dysfunctions and only when the physical body of an eczema child is built up, then can the emotional needs be met easier. I see for myself how the Angel fell, from the most beautiful child and such an amazingly adaptable one to a totally broken child because her physical body is giving her all the trouble.
I learn to stay away from people who make my job so much harder; I desperately need to heal myself and seek encouragement to go on because this can be such a daunting, disheartening and endless task at times that all I can say is, I haven’t found a replacement yet. I learn to put my foot down, I learn to say ‘no’, I learn that whatever I do, I meet the Angel’s needs and I know then, that life will be beautiful again. I know it is hard for anyone to comprehend what I am doing but in the long run, I will have a beautiful child and then, I can repair whatever is broken. At times, it is no point talking till the cows go home, because it takes the main caregiver to know what it means to handle a child with eczema.
At the same time, I quit socialising. I’m sorry to all those friends and family whom I cannot meet and I’m eternally thankful to those who understand more than judge what I’m going through or who understand my needs to be home most of the time and to stick to the Angel’s routines. Something’s gotta give.
With medical care, I believe that I have finally found THE doctor (Dr T.Thirumoorthy) who understands more about handling eczema and being a mother to a child with eczema than anyone I have ever met. I used to meet him once in two weeks; I call those sessions MY therapy sessions because I ALWAYS walk out of the clinic knowing that I can continue to do what I’m doing for the Angel despite the desire to throw in the towel at times. He encourages me that with my knowledge on eczema, all I need now is to perserve on and imagine that I’m running a marathon. I know now why my parents call him the miracle doctor. No, he did not miraculously heal the Angel and I didn’t expect anyone to, and I went along to the doctor because my parents believe that he would. Little did they know that he did more good than anyone has done on earth for me to handle the Angel. So, YES, he is the MIRACLE doctor. If I think that I cannot go on anymore, he will be the person I will turn to because I know that I will walk out of his clinic knowing “that’s why God makes mothers”.
Visitng consultant, Professor Hugo, at NSC, helps us with the Angel’s allergies. Again, he is another doctor who plays a part in assuring me that there are good doctors out there who take a real and keen interest in each individual child and who is NOT one who just wants to whisk you out of his clinic to see the next patient. With him, we want to test out the allergies (known or unknown) that the Angel is saddled with and hopefully, knowing the leakages can help us to handle the acute eczema.
Lastly, the Angel is also under the care of an experienced Chinese sinseh who understands what eczema is all about. I believe that TCM works from inside out and heals the body than treats just the prevailing condition. The challenge was in looking for one who is experienced in eczema and most importantly, without prescribing dubious cream. Having found Dr Wong from Chee Seng Tong is another prayer answered, thanks to a friend’s recommendation. He himself told me my child has eczema (severe) and I’m in for the long haul. Had he told me that he had some miracle cream, I knew I would have walked out of the clinic. With him, we discuss diet control. Being aware of how some strong chinese medication can harm a person’s liver, I’m glad each prescription comes with a proper ingredient list with dosage which I keep a record of.
I spent the whole of my last month not leaving the Angel at all and she was almost completely healed. We reached almost some form of eczema free days but few days ago, I, again, made the mistake of leaving her, just for a mere three hours to tend to some school work, and I came home to an all scratched-up child. My heart is broken and there is a lot of repair to be done again but I assure you, life is looking better and I know I can go on.
We have found the dream home that gives us the peace, the coolness, the quality of life that we need to move on and we are grateful. After three months into work (although I was working from home most of the time, with heartfelt gratitude to my superiors), I am now a SAHM. God has shown me many humbling moments and I can’t be more grateful. On Christmas day, my home was filled with warmth by three sets of people who came and cheered up my life. It makes me think that I’m ready to meet people again. We spent the New Year at the ‘highlands’ in Malaysia, just to find a respite from the heat for the Angel so that she could go out into the great outdoors when there is daylight. Those two days did wonders for her soul and she finally gave herself and me long hours of sleep.
I am now looking for a support group in Singapore with regards to handling children with eczema. We gather from doctors the statistics of children with eczema in Singapore is astonishing. Having the knowledge to deal with eczema is so important and I hope I can not only share mine, but learn from other parents as well. Parents who deal with children with eczema need a lot of support and help and I’m sure building a community of practice of sort will help parents go a long way.
I am going to be back at blogging and catching up on blog reading. My friends, you will hear from me soon. I have given all my time to my work and my child and now, I think it is time to come out, a little of my world, to socialise, to talk, to hold discourses again. I’m still a keen parent on observing my child, and homeschooling, despite the mounting challenges I face.
It is the new year and it signals a new beginning to a good start and I embrace that. A peaceful and happy new year to everyone!
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Welcome back! Hats off to you for what you have done for your child! You are so dedicated!
Hello Michelle,
Thanks for dropping by! I’m glad to be back in blogspere, too! I guess I’m doing what all mothers would do for their children! Just gotta keep running the marathon! Thanks for cheering me on!
*hugs*
It’s great to have you back!
Thank God for the wonderful people whom you have found and can turn to along the way to help with Angel’s condition.
Best wishes in 2008 for you, Ray and Angel.
I do look forward to more updates from you. Watching this space…:)
Hello Dory,
Thanks for dropping by! Yes, I can’t be more grateful than to have found wonderful people who understand and who have given me so much encouragement to go on! There will definitely be more updates on life here in Singapore! You can be sure of that!
Big hugs to you and enjoy 2008, too! I will visit you someday!
wow..long time u MIA…..happy new year to you.and hope the eczema is far far away
Hello jazzmint! Yes, life hasn’t been too easy to cope for the past 5 months! I, too, pray that the eczema will go away! A happy, healthy and peaceful new year to you and your family!
So glad to see you’re back! Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to your and yours and can’t wait to read more of your thoughts (smile)!
Hello New Parent! A peaceful and healthy new year to you and your family, too! Thanks for dropping by and you can be sure you will hear more from me (smile)!
Your post broke my heart. I hope and pray for Angel’s best. Take care!
Hi Pilgrim Parent, thanks for dropping by. I can’t tell you how many times I have cried my heart out, too. Thanks for praying. It keeps us going!
Hi my dear friend!! I am so happy to read your comment in my blog. That would means you are blogging and will post more… my heart is heavy for you and angel. But you are one strong mama and I know Angel is in good hand. Yes, pls do let me know when you are visiting….and btw where are you staying now? email me…
*hugs*
Dear Jean, thanks for understanding and dropping by! Things are improving with the Angel and all I can say is, life is getting better! Will email you! Big hugs to you, too!
Happy New Year! So glad you are back! I’m sorry you’ve been going through such trying times. Take your time with everything and if you need to retreat into your shell, do that. And when you’re ready to come out again, we’ll still be here waiting *smile* A big hug to the Angel…..
Hi Big Pumpkin, I’m back and then off again, as you can see. Dealing with eczema can be a mad, mad business, especially in this crazy hot weather. Thanks for the hug – I know the Angel needs lots of them.
I dropped by your blog when you were away. So, I added your blog to my google reader. Glad that you are back. It must have been tough for you but you perservered. Wish to know you better and hear your thoughts. Take care.
Hi JO-N, thanks for dropping by. I’m still catching up on blog reading / blogging after whatever energy I have got left from dealing with an eczema child!
Have a great and healthy new year.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/
http://www.mikeleonen.com/
Thanks, Mike, for dropping by and yes, we are in need of a healthy year! Many thanks for that!
hi there jasmine…was searching for your blog…and found your update. hope you are feeling better. we had a rough week settling in too and during the nights ivan kept grinding his teeth while asleep…and cl highlighted that he might be stressed!!! ah that brought to my attention abit how little time i have spend with him for the past few weeks…time to settle in and do some planning… by the way…i’d sign up for a new msn acct. pls contact me via chin-yee at live.com over msn as i think i did not save your email contact…apologises!!
stay strong! and things will get better .. *hugz*
Hi Chin Yee, I’m so glad that we are connected again! Thanks for cheering us on. We get good days and bad days and then more bad days and sometimes, I think I’m going mad!
Hi Jasmine,
I can’t believe that there is someone in this world that is going through the same thing I am except your Angel is a girl and mine is a boy. (I’m in a pretty lonely place right now) I too, am a SAHM in my 30′s. My son will be turning three on April 26. He has suffered from severe eczema since 6 months of age, at the same time we started with formula milk and solid foods. We’ve seen countless doctors, allergist, pediatricians, had blood test for food allergies, you name it, we’ve tried it.
We’ve been told that he may outgrow it by 3years old, if not gradually by 5 years old. My husband and I have endured 3 years of barely any sleep. I’m not sure how I’ll look if I have to go through 2 additional more years, UGH!
I’d like to ask you what you’ve done to help your daughter with her eczema. What have you done that you’ve seen results?
We currently use steriod cream when it gets real bad. Mostly, we apply Vanicream for moisturizer and bathe him in Aquaphor soapless wash. (My son has tested extremely allergic to Oatmeal products, so Avenno is completely a No for us). As for the enviroment, I live in the San Francisco bay area where the weather is mild—never too cold, never humid. I’m at my wits end in trying to figure what I can change as I have done everything known to man with little success. I wish we lived closer so I can actually hang out with someone going through my similar experience.
I’m also curious to know what you do to socialize Angel? In the winter months, my lil’ guy has been mostly indoors, at home–going out only for groceries. I’m so afraid of exposing him to any illness as his eczema worsens. Do you experience that with Angel?
Also, with socializing, going out to playgroups and playgyms makes me extremely sad as I have to follow my son closely to wipe his runny nose (probably hay fever), and the constant fear and paranoia that a parent or child may make mean comments about my son’s skin.
I look forward to hearing back from you with advise. I hope each day your Angel is getting better and this experience will be a distant memory.
Yours truely,
Tobey’s mom
Dear Tobey’s mom, thanks so much for dropping by and sharing what you have gone through with your little boy and sorry about my late reply. I haven’t have much energy left after dealing with my eczema child on most days.
I have pretty much gone through what you have gone through with the Angel and understand how lonely and difficult it can get sometimes when dealing with a severely eczema child. Like your boy, the Angel suffers from multiple food allergies, seen countless doctors (allergist, PDs, dieticians … ) and I’m still clinging on to hopes that hers will go away by the time she is 5 (she has past the age 3 dateline and nothing much has changed) and of course, that we’d get real sleep somehow at night.
One personal experience of dealing with eczema is the environment. I moved from the UK to Singapore and I find the challenges of dealing with eczema more acute in this hot, hot weather. I recently heard of a child who had eczema in Japan where it was cold but once he was back in Singapore, the eczema just went away. I believe that the environment has a very important role in causing a triggers.
I try to deal with my daughter’s eczema by first understanding the underlying causes, the triggers, and assessing if the remedies I have tried work. I admit, it is a lot of trial and errors at times, knowing the right combination of emollient, moisturizers, diet, exposure to the environment, socialization and even routines. Understanding my child’s own disposition also helps to deal with the eczema. I do realise that what works in the UK does not essentially work in Singapore. However, the only constant I have is carrot juice. It does the work of keeping my daughter’s skin supple. I currently use Dreamwash that works when showering or emollient like Balenum or Oilatum (Balenum is oilier than Oilatum) when in the bath. A few drops of lavender oil works wonders in the water, too. Just water and lavender oil and soaking in it in the bath just works wonders. The smell has such a calming effect on us. For moisturizers, i used to use Dreamwash on my daughter. It takes away the itch and keeps the skin beautiful but alas! it doesn’t work in the humidity in Singapore. I was on Physiogel and now, aqueous cream. I haven’t found the ‘perfect’ moisturizer yet I do know that in aircon rooms, I use oil based emollient like Epaderm to keep the skin supple. However, I can only use it at home because I can never be sure, when out, if the temperature is cool enough for it. Oil based emollient warms up the body and my daughter’s skin will then becomes a sort of a furnace! With multiple food allergies, another challenge is the diet. We have a lot of restrictions on what we eat.
She is completely off steroid or medication (unless she has a flare up from allergies) and on some days, we get eczema free days which is what I aim for everyday!
A lot of my time and effort goes into just understanding the disposition of my child in dealing with eczema. With the underlying itch, the child gets into a habit of the mind of scratching and we can go around in mindless circles trying to overcome the itch scratch cycle and the habit of the mind. Even emotional triggers such as stress, anxiety or tiredness can cause her to get into a scratchy frenzy and then the itch scratch cycle. For my child, turning to scratching is her first outlet and that is something I try to work on. Do you notice the conditions in which your boy get into an itch scratch cycle?
I have almost given up on socialising. I keep it really simple for now. I used to live a more normal life in the UK. We could enjoy walks, buy groceries, meet up with friends occasionally, attending baby socials, although eating out has always been a stressful event. Now, I hardly see anyone much; I mostly get visitors at home (thanks to those kind wonderful souls who understand what we are going through), rely on my mom to buy our groceries (occasional trips to the supermarkets – really occasional but not reliable enough to have food on the table every night), and keep socialising short, just so that we don’t get into the itch scratch cycle. The heat here is not kind to her skin and a mere walk from the door to the car is enough to trigger a flare up in her skin! In Singapore, we have not suffered from hayfever yet but I remember in UK, during the hayfever season, my daughter just wanted to sleep away. For night time, I sew up all the openings in her pyjamas (hands and legs) and it works wonders. She doesn’t get into that much of a scratching frenzy and wakes to just get moisturized or a pee break. There are still trying nights but as the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind, it works wonders on my child.
I have also decided to homeschool my daughter now as we are not even positive about how others will be able to handle her situations. Even getting ready in the morning is a challenge, I cringe to think about the ‘stress’ of getting ready for school.
My life revolves primarily around with helping my daughter to cope with her eczema. When we achieve eczema free days, they are the best days, but for now, they are far and in between. We are still losing sleep. I currently have not met anyone where I am who goes through the same situation as I do or rather, I have, but I haven’t met one who is keen to share notes like this.
I think people were more open to it in the UK, more understanding and well, perhaps have more tolerance.
I know how it is like to have people comment on our children’s skin. We get a lot of well wishes in the UK, a lot of empathy and people do not focus on my child’s skin but my child. Over here, it has been tiring answering questions and I teach my daughter to tell those who ask why she has a perpetual rash that she has eczema but she is getting better. There is no other way round it. We have also given up on going on public transport to avoid all these ‘eyes’ and questions.
I hope you have seen some good days with Tobey since your comment. I know how it is like for us – while other parents complain about one sleepless night, if we ever get that one peaceful night of sleep, it feels like such a gem. Try the pyjamas and see if it works. I keep a journal of sort of her conditions and monitor the triggers. Have you ever brough Tobey anywhere out of San Francisco bay area where his skin or condition has been different? My daughter is completely eczema free in Norway and in some other parts of Europe! I sometimes do wish we stay there!
I wish you and your family well. Stay in touch and let’s give each other support to go on. As one of the doctors I have met here told me, it is a marathon that we have to run, and we might not see the end but we just have to keep running. So, keep going and aim for eczema free days! =)
Hi there
My little girl is 2½ and developed severe atopic eczema at 6 weeks. Unless you have a child with eczema you can never fully understand how difficult each and every day can be and how much you come to dread the night time and the sleep depravation and how totally broken you can become by the fact that you are doing everything in your power to help your child and still this disease beats you, tricks you, just never gives up. How it feels to be at rock bottom – both you and your child. And also how lonely you can feel thinking you are the only ones going through this. Just when we seemed to get her skin under control and almost all clear she got chicken pox and we have now spent the last 6 months battling the fall out from that. What breaks my heart is that for the last few months the eczema has been most severe on her face and hands – the two most visible parts of the body. We have had so many steroids and creams and allergy testings and now the consultant says she wants to up the potency of her steroid. I am not prepared to do this and am now trying some new natural creams and oils from Australia that seem to be working a MIRACLE so far (although I hate to speak too soon). If you ever need a friend please do contact me as everything you write I am experiencing the same.
My best wishes to you and Angel x
Dear Flowers Mom, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and sorry that I haven’t been up to replying. I think we and Tobey’s mum (comments below) probably understand completely what we are going through, as well as our children! The part where you mentioned about hitting rock bottom, both us and the children, I can’t agree more. When my child cries over her broken skin, painful skin especially when she has to shower, cries over all this sadness, it breaks my heart, too. And yes, especially when you try to do everything within your ability and yet, you end up in that vicious cycle, on some days, it is just so hard.
It really breaks my heart, too, knowing how you must have gone through so much to help to achieve clearance and then along comes chicken pox! I have that fear, too, because when an eczema child has an itch to scratch, it is like no other. It robs them of any sense of ability to control their itch. Both your child and you must have had a hard time coping. Big hugs!
Like I have told Tobey’s mum below, I aim for eczema free days, without the use of steroids and oral medication. It is very hard work but I find it worth it. I try to understand as much about the flares, the environment, etc, so as to understand the factors. I know of doctors who are more ‘liberal’ with the use of steroid, even oral, and others who are more careful. Both my husband and I made a decision to have a definite ‘no’ to oral steroid in controlling eczema (we don’t want to see quick fixes) and while we did go through one round of steroid cream, we also know that it is not ultimately what we want to lean on to control the eczema. So, we are completely off steroid cream.
Your miracle cream from Australia sounds great! I believe sometimes it is really finding the right and suitable cream to suit a particular environment and person, too! I pray that it is still working its wonders for your child!
Thank you so much for your sharing and wanting to be friends. I truly appreciate it. =) Hang in there and aim for eczema free days!
I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed your posts.
Thank you for sharing your journeys with us. I’m learning so much from it.
Hello Irene,
Thanks for dropping by! I’m still catching up on life and learning as much about coping with eczema in a totally new environment!
Hello. I believe I have finally found someone who is going through exactly what I’ am going through. I have a 4yr old little girl who has had eczema since she was 2months old, I believe that she came into this world with it. It was very mild and very easy to manage. She did not itch, she could take regular baths and even swim. There were never any bad flare ups. Then last July it took a turn for the worst. Our family took a trip to Cedar Point park in Sandusky Ohio. This sounds crazy that one trip could start a nightmare like this, but I know that this was the trigger. The tempature was in the high 90′s and it felt like the 100′s. She had never been in this kind of heat. She immediately turned bright red all over her body and the severe itching began.
It is now been almost one year later and I have still not been able to get her skin cleared up. We’ve been to the dermatologist a countless number of times and we have tried numerous creams and steroids that I’m very fearful of. I have found that Aquaphor does great for her face but not much for her body and every lotion or cream, fragrance free and all seems to burn or not make any difference. She has been hospitalized and given steroid shots that I worry may have other side effects.
It has gotten so bad this past year that I took her for allergy testing and found out that she is allergic to everything including basically all foods, dairy, wheat, soy, eggs, and from there the trial and error food journey began, we cut out dairy and eggs and did not see much difference in the beginning because we were told to continue to giving the wheat and soy so that she could have some food in her diet. This wasn’t good because I have found that wheat is a killer. So we stopped giving the wheat and tried to bring dairy back in and this seemed to make her even worse. Taking the food away is something to this day I’m not sure I should have ever started. I believe this caused her body to react even worse to these foods. Before that Cedar point trip she was eating everything and had very mild eczema. I have been told that it can get worse as some kids get older but it just seem seems like the food testing triggered more problems.
We also found out that she is sensitive to animals which really has hurt, because we have 4 Beagles and 2 cats. We have since moved the cats out to an outside cabana area and are keeping the dogs out most of the time, we’re still not sure what role they are playing. I know that food has now become a main culprit as I watch her body react after trying different foods.. She is also allergic to dustmites and I have enclosed her mattress and pillows with dustmite covers but this only helps minimally.
She too has become completely dependent on me, She has become very emotionally and physically attached to me to the point where no one else can watch her or make her feel better. We have had to return home on many occasions because of itching episodes in the car or in the store that bring her to tears. I also get many questions from people observing her skin. They all seem to be bewildered by it. My mother is always saying that she is getting too dependent on me and that I need to stop catering to her, she just doesn’t fully understand that the dependency is due to the eczema.
I’am going to make a trip to Childrens Hospital to get a another opinion. I’am hoping and praying too that she grows out of this but she is almost 4 1/2 now. I truly sympathize with your lack of energy for people who just cant begin to know what this is like or begin to understand what it does to you watching your child suffer. It is truly amazing to me that a skin condition can actually Disable a child but I see it disabling my daughter and disabling our lives everyday we live through this. I too get alot of advice thrown at me, especially from my in-laws that insist it is the animals or something I’m using, I wish it were that simple. I really do wish you the best and hope that you can find some comfort and peace in your journey through this, I would love to keep in touch and hear any advice or any findings you may encounter. I just wanted to let you know that i do believe I know exactly how you are feeling and I’am sharing this journey. .
Sincerely
Jody Schroeder
Dear Jody,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with your daughter and your kind words and encouragement. I, too, totally understand what you are going through with your daughter. It must have been a difficult time for you to cope with.
i have gone through one of my worst period with my child on dealing with her eczema crisis and we are almost reaching the point of eczema-free days but there are still bad days, there are still allergies to think of, etc.
I know how you feel about the food intake. When the Angel was diagnosed with various food allergies and we found we could feed her almost nothing, it was a nightmare. Clinically, she is still tested for being allergic to wheat but we put her on wheat diet as we find it hard to avoid and too limiting in her food. However, we tried and tested all kinds of products which contain wheat before knowing what to give her.
In your case, perhaps knowing what her allergies are is a starting point and I do think that you may have to avoid those food triggers for now as her eczema is probably exacerbated by the food triggers. I know how painful it must be for you and for her, too, especially when she has tasted those food and now, everything has to be taken away! I do believe that when the eczema is milder or under control, her food allergies or other allergies might just go away! It does seem to me that she has an underlying case of eczema and it can be further triggered by food (as in the case of my daughter). The Professor I see told us some children’s eczema are worsened by their food allergies and I believe it is so in our cases. I am quite positive that when the eczema is more subdued, the triggers that exacerbate the eczema may also wean off. When my daughter’s eczema was at its all time worse, taking wheat products just made it worse but at this time when it is under control, wheat products have almost no effect on her skin although clinically, she is tested to be allergic to wheat!
i can also imagine how dependent your child is on you, as mine was. I spared no effort or time and watched her and spent all my time and energy on her. I believe the effort will pay off. I know how tough it is and how heart breaking it can be, for us, but the effort will be worth it. I found solace in one of the doctors I saw who totally understand what I was going through with my daughter and well, he really gave me courage to go on. I want you to know that it is really tough but keep going and being there for your daughter because in you, she will find the comfort she needs. And I believe you are doing a good job in looking after her. Don’t let what others say affect your maternal instinct. I shut a lot of people out of my life because they didn’t understand what I was doing with my daughter and the effort has paid off because my daughter has many eczema-free days now! I know that Mother Nature has imbued us with that maternal instinct and trust it to tell you what you are doing for your daughter is right. Be strong, stay strong and stay sane. There are days when I really became a monster myself and cried my eyes out but I remember what the doctor said, it is a long marathon run and I just have to keep running. I know you can do it. =)
And it is definitely a good idea to seek a second opinion. I was in really good hands in the UK and took sometime to find the doctors who can treat my daughter when back in Singapore but once we learn more about the conditions and explore other alternatives, I’m sure it makes it easier for us to deal with the conditions.
Jody, have you tried carrot juice for your daughter? I think we can achieve eczema free days now because of carrot juice. Try juicing two carrots and an apple everyday and see if it works for your daughter.
I really do wish we are nearer. Big hugs in all your efforts to help your child. I know what you are facing and I also know that you can achieve eczema-free days with your daughter! Keep going! And stay around positive people who will encourage you in what you are doing! That’s precisely what I did and it kept me sane!
Cheers
Jasmine
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