The International Topical Steroid Addiction Network Patient’s Story About Curing Eczema Featured in the Eczema …

Karen Holland is a patient advocate for ITSAN. She is finally having a chance to heal after a long battle with worsening and spreading Eczema due to topical steroid use. Her story now serves as an inspiration to people living with Eczema from around the world.

Indian Harbour Beach, FL (PRWEB) October 02, 2012

It wasnt until my early forties that my skin rash become problematic. My hands started getting itchy so I used Elocon lotion on them. The rash would clear, but my legs would break out. In 2010, I took a course of Prednisone because I needed to have a break from the constantly sore, itchy, red skin. The Prednisone worked for a small while. After a few months though, a rash started to reappear, recounted Karen. Karen tried to only use Elocon as needed, rotating on and off, but within a week of not using the medicine the rash came back.

In July 2011 I developed a cluster of pimple-like bumps on one cheek. After two weeks, more of these pimples appeared on the other cheek. Overnight, my face became red, swollen and sore to the touch. My doctor diagnosed me with Steroid-Induced Rosacea and said it was due to touching my face with fingers that held traces of Elocon. I went home and resolved not to use Elocon at all, anywhere, said Karen.

Within a few weeks of completely stopping steroids Karens neck had big, red, sore lumps on it and her face and neck were insanely itchy and burning. I took Prednisone and the next day was good but the day after was hell. My face was burning hot and had starting weeping and oozing yellow liquid. My eyes were swollen, my stomach was itchy, my legs were getting itchy behind my knees. By day three, my armpits were hot, red and sore to touch. By day five, I had red, hot, itchy skin all over my body and yellow ooze all over my face, neck and arms. I also had Edema in my hands and arms, said Karen.

It was at this time that Karen joined the Eczema Association of Australia. Within a week of joining, I received my first newsletter, which included an insert from a man named Peter from Western Australia. Peter spoke about his wife and their journey to end the skin suffering. He mentioned a website established by a woman named Kelly Palace (http://www.itsan.org) as well as his own website (http://www.topicalsteroidcream.com). I checked out these websites and realized that what I had was not Eczema, but a condition called Red Skin Syndrome which is caused by topical steroid withdrawal.

Karen decided to follow the advice on the ITSAN website. From the ITSAN website Karen joined a forum called Cure Eczema by Stopping Steroids.

The next three months were hell. I developed severe Edema in my legs and feet, and was largely bedridden. I couldnt wear shoes, let alone any clothes other than a sarong and an old t-shirt. My skin exuded, burned, flaked and itched. I shivered uncontrollably. My lymph nodes grew to the size of grapes. My legs ached, it was painful to walk. I was a mess and cried from all of the pain, said Karen.

Karen took photos and kept a diary of progress. She checked into the forum daily and drew enormous support from others going through the same nightmare.

In months four and five, the edema slowly receded, the weeping eventually stopped, energy levels returned and I started to get active again and enjoy life. It is now over a year since I stopped using steroids for Eczema and my skin has its normal color back, my arms still feel a bit dry and my neck gets itchy occasionally. The skin on my legs and feet is still damaged from daily scratching, but is healing slowly, says Karen.

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The International Topical Steroid Addiction Network Patient’s Story About Curing Eczema Featured in the Eczema ...