So I succumbed and brought dd and myself to the National Skin Centre on Wednesday.
Dd has been having a bad outbreak ever since we came back from our week long Bintan trip. And since I was bringing her, I thought I might as well book an appointment for myself as well. We have run out of our usual medication and I needed to stock up 😀
Steroids and antihistamines – as usual
In my mind, I just knew what they (“the experts”) were going to say and going to prescribed. And even tho’ I really didn’t want to be, I was right 🙁
The doctor which came highly recommended by a friend was very nice and pleasant. He did not talk down to me like one who did years ago when I was a patient here. That doctor told me that allergies and how it works “was too difficult for me to understand” when I asked her some questions 🙁
No such thing as food allergy?!
So what did the good doctor say?
Like all conventional skin doctors, he didn’t believe in food allergies 🙁 He said that only 1% of older children and adults suffer from food allergies. I don’t know where he got his numbers from but I certainly don’t agree with him on that! He did not want to test us and instead prescribed antibiotics for S (her skin is infected after all that non-stop scratching) and different strength steroid creams/ointments to control the itch. I got a similar batch of medicine and we were told to keep on moisturising.
Hmmm…….
Back to square one
I guess I was hoping for too much to find a doctor who knows how our diets can and do affect our skins. So here we are. Back to treating the symptoms and not the cause. I truly believe the eczema we are afflicted with stems from a lack of something internally. Hence my previous post on taking EPO, coconut oils, etc treating it internally. And I still believe it. I guess who I need to see is a naturopath. But the problem is most , if not all are new age practitioners. 🙁 And yes, I do have a problem with that.
So this is my plan of attack. Use the antibiotics and steroid cream to calm the skin first.* Then eliminate all the usual suspects of wheat, dairy**, eggs and shellfish**. And continue with our supplements.
Focus on eating healthier
In the end, I guess what we all really need is to eat healthier – lots more green veggies and less processed stuff. But I confess I am overwhelmed by eating this way, not to mention preparing it! It would be so hard to eliminate eggs and wheat. They are used in so many recipes! And all wheat-free alternatives do taste erm…different 😉 But for the sake of our health, I guess I’ll have to push some things through.
Meanwhile, I’ll keep surfing the net for more information and recipes. I’ve been told that Pamela’s Mix is a good alternative to the usual wheat flour for baking. And here’s a free eBook that I found which may help someone who’s suffering like us at Eczema.Net.
* I no longer take on this view of using steroids to suppress the symptoms then go on from there. I have learnt that that can create a whole new lot of problems from ITSAN which shares about steroid addiction and withdrawals.
** we take very little dairy and no shellfish.
8 Comments on Scratch, Scratch, Scratch Part 2
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I believe that in this day and age, food could likely be the cause. I recently found out that mine is allergic to colouring. So I use sauces minimally and it did get better. Unfortunately, I cannot really control what they put when we eat out 🙁
Hi Sherrie! It is quite clear to me too, that food is a factor. That’s why I was quite sian the moment I heard the dr say it is not common. 🙁
I also believe that food is definitely a factor. Can you test for the major allergens through skin prick test to try and narrow it down so that is is more manageable? DD is classic example as the moment I give her any form of diary, her ezcema appears immediately. I also have to limit mine since I am still tbf.
Also, do you think it is possible to have food allergy when you get older? I thought you out grow your food allergy but my ds just had shellfish allergy 4 days ago after taking some prawn and I confirmed it again 2 days ago. Is it possible since he never has any reaction before this? Dh think it must be US prawns LOL!
Hi Jen
We have done the skin prick test before and only dust was showed to be the main culprit. I may have to INSIST on getting it done at our next appointment since this dr is not keen at all to do it. And yes, allergies can develop anytime. Even as an adult! Dh used to be able to take bird’s nest but now if he does, his eyes swell up till they close up! His mom insists it can’t be since he took it when he was young with no effects! But can’t deny the reaction and almost immediate!
Hi
I’ve seperately had eczema and another skin condition. With the eczema I saw Dr. Thiru from Specialist Skin Center and he analyzed the method systematically and gave a treatment plan. The eczema never came back.
When I had the second condition I did not see him as it was in the groin area. However after seeing 5 other doctors I had no choice but to return to him. I suffered for 2 years prior to seeing him but after less than 5 reviews with him the condition has not recurred.
http://www.specialistskin.com.sg/
Hi Hi, I’m new here, but I thought to share with you what my doctor explained. My children have multiple allergies too, like dairy, certain fish eggs. my ENT doc (cos my kids have allergy rhinitis) whose child suffers the same conditions advised that sometimes, when we take small amounts of food we are allergic to, the symptoms are too mild for us to comprehend or to notice as allergy.
then when we suddenly over indulge, are stressed out or have the food too frequently, the body will protests and break out. That’s why often we find ourselves allergic to foods that we previously have no reaction to. We are very blessed to have met the right doctor who guided us. 🙂
Have you tried juicing carrot juice with apple? It works very well for my daughter. If you are worried about too much juicing, boil carrots in apple and drink the soup. The effect takes longer to heal but the result shows nonetheless.
And I highly recommend Prof Hugo at NSC (visiting only every Wed or his clinic at NUH). He takes time and pain to discuss whatever questions you have and even discuss research we have been reading up on. And you can order a prick test at NSC if you are really keen to find out what food allergies both you and your dd might have! Like you, I believe food allergies are usually the trigger, evident in my daughter’s flares!
All best!
Thanks Alternative Mom! Now I remember your blog! I just went to visit it and asked you some questions about juicing. Perhaps you can reply here too to share with my blog readers? I’m wondering how many carrots per time do you juice? Or is it just ONE cup per time? How often do you drink it? Also is it necessay to juice? I don’t have a juicer 🙁 Can I just blend it?
And thanks for the rec for Prof Hugo. I should try to request for him the next time. I am going to insist on a skin prick test too.