Itchy Skin and Topical Steroid Withdrawal: January 2014

Sunday, 26 January 2014

Day 88

When I thought things were going to be better last week, my skin condition decided to turn worse. What a bad timing because lunar new year is coming in another 5 days. The last thing I wanted is to get questions about my skin condition during the relatives meeting sessions. If things don't improve in the next 5 days, I must try my best to avoid close contact with everyone during CNY.

Almost 3 months of steroid withdrawal now, I often find myself doubting whether these skin problems will resolve itself "automatically" in 1-2 years by doing nothing to it. But I have seen enough blogs to reassure myself so I will carry on the journey. I think I have more or less gotten used to the itchiness and scratching at night but I still hope that my condition won't become worse.

Left Face

This week I have very itchy spot near my hairline.

There are a few spots hidden which is inside my hair too.

Right Face

Many new itchy spots

Left Forehead

The itchiness on my eyebrow is still very persistent

Center Forehead

Slight Improvement

Right Forehead

Slight Improvement

Right Leg

The itchiness is still waking me up a few nights

The size of this rash is around 13cm

Just to show another perspective on Right Leg

Left Leg

I am quite surprise this spot looks like it is fading out because the itchiness is still quite bad.

My Big Toe is no longer itchy and is not a problem area anymore.

Sunday, 19 January 2014

Day 81

Phew, my neck spasms is finally gone. I am not sure what causes that but it is definitely one of the worse neck spasms I ever got and it lasted 8 days! The constant twitching of my neck muscles is so bad that I was unable to sleep for a duration of 2 days straight and got me very worried about my neck. Although I am not fully healed from the stiff neck today, I am glad the neck spasms have finally stop for now.

If I were to compare 7 days of itchy skin vs 7 days of neck spasms, I will choose 7 days of itchy skin every time because neck spasms is a much worse condition! But in reality, eczema don't last 7 days and my withdrawal from topical steroids is probably going to last at least 7 x 7 x 7 days haha.

Back to my skin condition update now, these are the photos.

Left Face

Not much changes.

Still getting mini pustules daily and waiting for my old scar to fade.

Right Face

I remember jaw line area is itchy this week.

But overall, I think my left/right face are improving slowly.

Center Forehead

Itchy and flaking. Very uncomfortable.

Right Forehead

Quite irritated and annoying itchiness throughout the week.

Left Forehead

Why is it that my left forehead is so calm as compared to my right forehead?

Right Leg

The itchiness became pretty bad ever since the scab started felling.

Kept me up for hours at night. Sign..

Left Leg

Ever since the scab fell off, the exposed red skin is very itchy.

I think I prefer having the thick and ugly scab than this.

Big Toe

Big toe is still good. Skin is rough to touch but it's not itchy.

4th and 5th toe is also healing well.

Sunday, 12 January 2014

Day 74

From Christmas till now, I have already attended 1 party gathering and 3 wedding dinner. For all these events, I think nobody actually notice my mild eczema at all given how light my condition is. I was keeping a very low profile throughout the time because I still don't feel comfortable with my condition yet, especially the itchiness. Naturally, I also try to avoid eye contact with everyone.

One particular issue I face this week is the constant neck twitching on my right neck, somewhere close to the Jugular vein. This is a very annoying problem because I have difficulties falling asleep when it twitch so often. I definitely do not want to visit a doctor if possible and hope that it will resolve on its own. The constant neck twitching has been quite persistent for the past 5 days already.

Left Face

Right Face

As I compared the left/right face photo with the older ones, it appears that my face improved significantly. But I still get a few mini pustules and minor flaking everyday though and the old scars will probably take another 1 or 2 month to fade.

Left Forehead

Right forehead

Eyebrow area is still itchy and flaky as usual.

Center Forehead

I have several "very intensive" and sharp itch in this area.

I remember the itch attack was very strong and I have to clench my fist when it came.

Right Leg

Let's see my most troubled area now.

It looks like some of the scab finally decided to drop off but the underlying skin is still red and itchy. At the same time, a new rash appears nearby. I have totally no idea why it spread like that.

Left Leg

Quite similar to my right leg, the itchiness increase after the scab fell off. At the same time, I notice a small rash growing at a distance nearby. Condition is so identical yet I have no idea whether this is good or bad. lol what is going on

Big Toe

The skin in that area is still rough to touch but I am quite happy with the condition of my big toe because there is totally no itchiness. This week, I accidentally cut my fourth and fifth toe due to the stupid room door.

Anyways, I decided to include this in my photo to monitor a rash vs a wound. And yes, it was very painful to get a cut like that with the room door. I have to be careful next time.

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Day 67

Weekly update as usual.

Looks like the condition is progressing at a very very slow pace.

I can't even tell whether it is getting better or worse because it is too difficult to judge. Sometimes when I thought I am getting better, the itchiness will return again. Overall, I feel that the condition remains more or less the same. Which makes me think if a monthly update would be more meaningful instead of a weekly one. Haha