Timeline:
Okay, I had my first flare up during mid May 2014.
2014:
I didn't know what I had but my face especially my cheeks were red, like super red. My friends thought that I got a sunburn. I lied. I told them," Ya I had a sunburn," The facial redness got even worser when I feel embarrassed or stood under the hot sun. Within seconds, my cheeks are as red as a flaming hot BBQ grill. No kidding. I felt so embarrassed that all I want to do is to go back home and dig a hole to hide my face from the world. Looking back now, I realised that biggest problem for me then is that I did not went to see a dermatologist immediately nor my local GP for fear of embarrassment and my family members knowing of my condition. I still remembered that I purposely told my mother that I wasn't hungry so she won't see me (my face) at all. Then come one day, my mother pried ( with force) open my blanket and saw blisters on my cheeks. I had to go to a GP ASAP. The GP gave me the usual permanganate wash and a cream that is used to shed away the blister skin thingy (I forgot the name of the cream). I was on MC for 4 days. After all, June holidays are round the corner so I skipped school for more than one month. 2014 was a very important year for me as I had to sit for my O levels. I was seriously falling behind. Not to mention, my medical bills are rocket-high. The financial burden placed on my parents is indescribable. I went to seek help at this famous clinic in Tampines, Niks-Maple Clinic. ( In Singapore ) I heard many good reviews about them. However, their prescribed medications made my condition worse. I experienced scaling, blisters, erythema, and burning sensations on my cheeks. The only thing that subsided was the severity of my acne. One advice is this: if you want to seek help from Niks Maple Clinic, make sure that you are ONLY suffering from acne or minor skin issues. Don't be a dumb-ass like me. I did not know that I had atopic dermatitis and I applied medications like Stieva-A , Fucidin all over my face like there is no tomorrow. This only made my eczema worse. As I mentioned earlier, I had to sit for a major exam this year. The stress I faced exacerbates my condition. Everynight, before I go to sleep, I would pray that my skin will improve. However, it seems that even God is not on my side as the morning after, my cheeks will feel hot and flushed. I spent a huge amount of money on useless products that doesn't seem to help with my facial condition at all. The doctor in the end prescribed me Protopic to apply which burns my skin like crazy. It hurts so bad.
During this dark period of my life, I didn't even go out at all to hang out with my friends or to spend time with my grandmother and cousins. I was so self-conscious about it all even till now.
I even had to miss my trip to Bangkok because my skin was so inflamed that skin is peeling off with scabs and pus oozing out.
My mother then decided to send me to National Skin Centre. That was a life-changer. The doctor ( whose name I can't mention) diagnosed that I have Atopic Dermatitis. Instead of giving me heaps of medications to apply and to eat, he cut down on the oral medications given and only asked me to wash my face with a gentle cleanser (Soft Touch 5.5) and Desowen Lotion, a steroid. This worked wonders. Within hours, my skin was no longer red. I was so happy. However, the side effect of using steroid was that the skin would be dry and irritated with prolonged use. Using topical corticosteroids might even induce Rosacea. That is something that will come back to haunt me in the near future.
2015:
Fast forward to one month later, my acne cleared up but my skin is scaly and red. I went for a follow-up appointment with National Skin Centre (NSC). The doctor prescribed me with Aqueous Cream and another bottle of Desowen Lotion. When i first applied the aqueous cream, I felt an immediate cooling sensation and the scaly skin starts to fall off. My skin is saved. Never have I, in these 7 months, experience such clear skin.
I continued with this routine for the next 8 months. My skin was clear for these 8 months which I am extremely grateful for. I failed to remember that using steroids continuously is bad for my skin. Of course, Karma is a bitch and during November 2015, I had a major flare-up of acne and eczema. My cheeks were like an agar plate for acne ( excuse my biological metaphors. I am a bio student after all. Hehehe) And I experienced frequent flushing. My immediate reflex was to apply Desowen twice daily and spam Aqueous cream on the affected areas. In view that the acne has deteriorated, I went to my local GP who prescribed me Reactnyl. This son-of -a-bitch contains Retinoids that caused my skin to be even more red and irritated. A cautionary tale to sufferers of both eczema and acne: Acne requires your skin to be dry but eczema requires your skin to be moist. Do not be an idiot and self-medicate. Do not be lazy to consult a proper Dermatologist and go to your neighbourhood doctor. GPs are there for general illness. But, if you have a specific condition please go to a specialist. It is more worth it in the long-run. I regretted my actions. ONLY trained dermatologists can help you . I know its expensive and a chore to go to hospitals but its worth it. Trust me.
The doctor in NCS then referred me to CGH ( Changi General Hospital) since its nearer to my place of residence. Like an addict, I applied Desowen religiously everyday. Sometimes more than twice a day. This stupidity caused me to have Steroid Rosacea. I am bound to leave for a trip to Bali in two days and my cheeks are so dry and irritated, not to mention red as a ripe apple picked from a tree. I am so desperate and depressed. I do not want to missed out on this trip just like how I missed out on the Bangkok trip last year. My mother was also desperate for me to get immediate help. The doctor in CGH, a Medical Officer , had to consult with a consultant regarding a suitable treatment for me.They diagnosed me with steroid rosacea. I was to put off any form of steroid and to take doxycycline twice daily and apply Roxy Gel in the morning and Elidel Cream at night. Instead of using the aqueous cream, I was asked to apply Physiogel instead which is non-comodegenic and hypoallergenic. This is my first day of treatment and i hope that by tmr, the redness will subside so I can go on my trip happily.
I am also afraid that when I apply the Elidel Cream tonight, my condition will get worse as the burning sensation and irritation is common when applying the cream for the first time.
I just sincerely pray that this will be the last time I have to deal with eczema or rosacea ever again. Im sitting for my A levels next year and I do not want my facial condition to bring me down.
