i have atopic eczema since secondary school time. Now i'm 25 years old. i have always seek treatment from normal GP which the doc always prescribe zectec and atarax pills and steriod cream to reduce the itchiness and apply the affected area. The eczema initially appear on my legs, arms, neck and stomach area. Then the doc from GP start to prescibe steriods to me to heal the wounds that was badly scratch. It works very well initially and i started to believe steriods will cure my ezcema. However i became over relying on this. The doctors have notify me the side effects of steriod which could lead to gain in weight and if taken for long period of time, the body will get immune to it.Thus sometime they stop prescribing it to me and i will turn to other new clinics to request the docs for steriods.
When i was 18-19yrs old, i gain alot of weight. I stopped taking the steriods for a long period of time and my weight start to drop. During this period i tried to control the eczema to prevent it from getting worse. I tried to apply alot of moisturiser and take the zectec and atarax to control.
However when i reach 23 yrs old, the eczema came back and this time it spread to my face. It started from my eyelid which i feel quite dry and the skin always peel. (fyi, i don't wear makeup but just put normal moisturiser)then slowly it spread to forehead then to the cheek and finally the whole face become very dry and start to have dry skin peeling. The face became very red and whenever i'm at outdoor, it irritate my face skin very much. I went to a clinc at Tampines which they recommend me to use NIKS product and at the same time prescribe me steriods again. It helps for a few months but it came back again. Till one day the medication no longer works on me.
So after the products that the clinic prescribe to me no longer works on me, i decided to seek treatment at National Skin Center. At that time, the eczema not only affect my face but my hair scalp as well. The scalp became itchy and start to have sign of dandruff. As a gal, it is really a serious problem and it lower my self confidence alot!
I did not specifically state which doctor i want when i make appointment with National Skin Center. So in the end their assigned Dr. Roy Chan who is the director of Nation Skin Center. (of course his consultation fee also higher)
I explained to him my problem and my past experience. I show him the medication that i have took previously. After that, he say i might be allegy to steriod which causes the redness and dryness on my face skin. So he prescribe me a small tube of cream call protopic to apply on my face and recommend me a moisturiser for my body. No oral medication was prescribe to me.
The cream is quite expensive. About $50 per small tube which can last abt 1 month. It works very well and the redness and peeling of skin has all gone. Currently i'm still maintaining my skin and apply the cream on my face. No oral medication is needed.
I feel that if you have eczema, you should seek consultation from national skin center. They are really the professional and certify. Although it is really expensive (each time i go i have to spend up to $200) but at least i feel it is worth to spend. I tried different clinics before but the eczema always come back after few weeks or month which can be quite irritating.
Now i'm a happy gal without any worries for eczema!