Author: Guest Writer Mia T.
Growing up, I was lucky enough to have clear, radiant skin. My skin was something people would often compliment me for, but 2017 brought a shift to that narrative.
I was working a demanding role at a Hollywood talent agency, working 10-12 hours a day, while trying to build my connections in the industry and absorb as much knowledge as possible. I was low on sleep and barely had time to eat. One night, it all caught up with me when I started developing inflamed, itchy red patches on my chest.
Initially, I dismissed the breakouts, attributing them to my old habit of stress-induced scratching. However, by the next night, the itching intensified to the point where I could barely sleep. I went to urgent care not knowing what was happening to me. They prescribed me with prednisone (1), a corticosteroid. This provided me much needed relief, but this proved to be just the beginning of a long battle with my own immune system.
A few weeks later, new itchy patches developed in different parts of my body. I went to see my primary care doctor, who prescribed another corticosteroid and recommended an allergy test. The results indicated minor sensitivities to dairy and eggs, but I was advised not to be overly concerned with this as the levels were negligible so I followed my doctor’s instructions and continued my dance with the corticosteroids, which was akin to a never-ending game of whack a mole.
As the weeks progressed, the inflamed patches expanded, claiming more of my skin. Skirts and dresses became wardrobe items of the past, as my legs became covered with red patches and scars. And if that wasn’t enough, I also started developing acne on the lower half of my face. My body was screaming for help.
My Diagnosis
I finally went to see a dermatologist who diagnosed me with atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema (2), an autoimmune disease influenced by genetics, stress, and environmental factors. The prescribed treatment? More steroid creams. I also got the disheartening news that I may have to live with this for the rest of my life. All I could do was just manage the symptoms.
I was so frustrated by the lack of answers from my medical team. They barely attempted to find the root cause. All they could give me were temporary fixes. The last straw came when I developed a fungal infection on my right hand. Dissatisfied with the conventional approach, I decided to take matters into my own hands and embarked on extensive research about eczema.
What My Own Research Taught Me
My findings were eye opening. While the topical steroids my medical team kept prescribing me were effective at fighting the inflammation in my skin, they came with a price. Topical Steroids (TS) work by suppressing the body’s immune system, which is overactive in people with eczema. However, our immune system is our body’s defense mechanism against infections and diseases. Steroids are not sophisticated tools that can suppress your immune system just the right amount for you to regain balance; they suppress it indiscriminately, for better and for worse. As a result, a staggering 16 to 43% of individuals on TS report skin infections (3). The infection on my hand was a result of this. The acne could very likely have also been part of this. Steroids can alter the skin’s structure, reducing the production of supportive material like collagen production, increasing the concentration of free fatty acids, and increasing the number of bacteria in the pilosebaceous ducts (4,5). On top of all this, I also read numerous stories of people who had experienced a vicious cycle of increased corticosteroid use and worsening flare-ups as their skin became dependent on TS. Having already experienced two side effects of TS, I didn’t want to risk the chance of experiencing another so I gradually stopped using them.
Solving My Issue At The Root
Through reading several blogs and browsing Reddit forums, I discovered natural alternatives for easing the inflammation including colloidal oatmeal, neem lotions, and pasture-raised tallow.
However, I still needed to solve the root problem, rebalancing my overactive immune system. My investigation brought me to the growing understanding of the gut-immune system axis. The gut’s health plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses, with up to 70% of our immune cells being influenced by gut associated tissue. Imbalances in the gut environment can lead to allergies and other immune related conditions (6). Recognizing this profound connection, and given my history of digestive issues combined with frequent dining out, I decided to revamp my diet and lifestyle.
Drawing on research recommendations, I eliminated dairy and eggs, due to my slight allergies to them. I also incorporated bone broth, which supports the gut lining. Additionally, I introduced foods and supplements rich in probiotic and prebiotics to rebalance my gut flora. The studies I reviewed also stressed the importance of regular exercise for promoting a balanced immune response, so I started working out a few times a week (7).
With persistent efforts, my skin gradually healed. Today, I’m back to the skin I once had. I learned that beauty really is more than skin deep. The body is a system and its state is a reflection of our inner health and harmony.
Also Read: The Magic of Retinol: How to Get Glass Skin
References
(1) Prednisone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood disorders, breathing problems, severe allergies, skin diseases, cancer, eye problems, and immune system disorders. It decreases your immune system’s response to various diseases to reduce symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions. Source: Web MD
(2) Eczema is the name for a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause itchiness, dry skin, rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and skin infections. There are several different types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, and more. More than 31 million Americans have some form of eczema, and it can begin at any age, from childhood to adulthood. Source: National Eczema Association
(3) Source: Indian Dermatology Online Journal
(4) The pilosebaceous duct refers to the part of the hair follicle that contains the hair shaft and the sebaceous gland, which produces sebum (an oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair). This duct is the pathway through which sebum travels to reach the skin’s surface. Blockages or abnormalities in the pilosebaceous duct can lead to skin conditions like acne.
(6) Source: Hsin-Jung Wu and Eric Wu, The Role of Gut Microbiota in Immune Homeostasis and Autoimmunity
(7) Source: Hsin-Jung Wu and Eric Wu, The Role of Gut Microbiota in Immune Homeostasis and Autoimmunity
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1081120622018130
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