Eczema, TSW, and the Fight for My Skin—What Finally Worked and Healed Me

I used to think of eczema as just a mild skin condition—a little dryness, a little itching, nothing a bit of lotion couldn’t fix. But I had no idea what was coming.

I have worked in the fitness industry my entire life. I can't imagine being sedentary and working in the office. My life is all about physical activity, not just mine, but others too. I make my living helping others to be healthy and fit. So when the worst came to worst, I was devastated. I probably have some sort of residual PTSD still, and it's not easy to revisit those days, but seeing so many others struggling with what I went through made me decide to finally share my story.

Although I’ve written before about my colon cleansing, gut health and TSW, I would like to write this article from a different perspective - an eczema warrior, a lonely soul suffering from a condition that is highly underestimated yet incredibly debilitating, a fitness trainer who started to hate her job and lifestyle because it was too painful to move freely, and food became terrifying (you know what I mean).

"I never had flawless skin, but at least it never stopped me from living. I’d trade eczema for acne any day."

How It Started

What began as a small dry patch and mild itching after runs spiraled out of control. My first stop was the usual: clinics and general practitioners. Then came referrals to dermatologists and allergists, endless rounds of useless tests, and the same frustrating conclusion—I was allergic to something.

When doctors ran out of ideas, they blamed my cats (despite the fact that I had grown up surrounded by pets with no issues). Then, they blamed the weather. “Maybe you should move back,” they suggested. I had already lived in Malaysia for 2–3 years before developing any skin problems, but suddenly, the tropical climate was the culprit.

I had episodes of "remission" when I could still get some workouts in. Swimming was the easiest.

I started to feel like I was losing my mind. I read books, devoured blogs, tried different diets, all while taking antihistamines, steroids, and the occasional injection when things got unbearable. Then, suddenly, my body seemed to turn against me...

At some point, I felt like everything I ate made me flare up. My entire body was covered in red, itchy hives and eczema patches. I tried supplements and detoxes from one clinic, which only made things worse. The hardest part? No one truly understood what I was going through. To most people, it was just a cosmetic issue—“it doesn’t look good.” But it was so much more than that.

My first years of experience with eczema:

During TSW and the recovery: (It did get much worse than this, I just honestly didn't care much about documenting it. Especially when my fingers were bleeding and so swollen that I could not pick up the phone...)

So, Did I Heal from Eczema?

Yes, I did.

I still obsess over what clothes I wear (to avoid irritation from heat and humidity) and remain cautious with certain foods, although I do eat them all now (except meat, as I’m a vegetarian). Occasionally, I get an itch or a mosquito bite-like rash that makes me paranoid that my eczema is back, but for the most part, I’m doing great. I even started running and cycling again—indoors for now, but it feels amazing.

Me during our trip to the USA, end of last year. My legs still looked bad, but I managed to get some sun at the pool (with additional benefit - no one knows me there!)

What Actually Helped?

• A Proper Detox

  I found an integrative medicine and wellness center where I met an open-minded and cautious doctor. She was also realistic. Her advice?

  • “You need to stop steroids.”

  • “We’ll do a series of colon cleanses, enemas, and IV nutrient therapy.”

  • “You’ll go through a brutal detox and withdrawal.”
    

  (Looking back, if I had started here instead of damaging my body with steroids, my withdrawal would have been easier. Instead, I went through 3–6 months of hell. (You can read more about my TSW journey [here].))
  

• Strict Diet and Lifestyle Changes

  I eliminated:

  • Sugar

  • Gluten

  • Dairy

  • Alcohol

  • Coffee

  • Processed and fried foods

  
  

  It's not only about removing stuff from your diet! You need to fuel and nourish your body.

  
  

  The main things I added:

  • Pre and probiotics

  • Vitamin D (I was very deficient. Don't take without testing first, it is stored in your fat tissue and high doses can cause toxicity!)

  • Fish oil (yes, I am a vegetarian, but this is the only non-veg supplement I am willing to take for my health.)

  • Supplements to balance my hormone levels

  • Ashwaganda to balance my cortisol

  • Melatonin to regulate my sleep and circadian rhythm

  • Later on, I added vitamin C and turmeric drinks to boost my immune system and biotin to help with my thinning hair and hair loss

(Maybe I could have recovered naturally over time, but these treatments sped up the process and made an already unbearable journey slightly more manageable. If you can afford them, I highly recommend it.)

This year I finally got back to work properly and even managed to wear leggings on a more regular basis!

• Managing Stress and Sleep

  Meditation and breathing exercises became essential. I barely slept for 2–3 months, and my body was stuck in a state of chronic inflammation.

  
  

  (If you can't sleep, you won't heal.)

  
  

• Knowing When to Stop Everything

  Eventually, my doctor told me: “That’s it. No more treatments. You’ve done enough. Now, let your body recover.”

  
  

  (I took a break, traveled, and visited my family in India. During Diwali, I ate everything—including foods I had feared for years—and even drank alcohol. That was in November 2024. I was so happy and relieved to see that none of it affected me.)

Detox in 2024 vs 2025 (no make up, no filter)

The Biggest Lesson I Learned in 5+ Years of Eczema?

STOP all the medications and ointments. START healing from the inside out.

Ask yourself:

• Do you have gut issues?

• Are your bowel movements regular and healthy?

• Do you have vitamin deficiencies (D, B-complex, iron, zinc)?

• Do you get enough omega-3s and fiber?

• Are you managing stress?

• Do you get quality sleep?

• Do you drink enough water (not just coffee/tea/alcohol)?

• Do you exercise properly?
  

Many of us assume we’re "healthy," but when we look deeper, there are hidden problems. We live in a world that constantly makes us stressed and inflamed. We need to be vigilant—read labels, pay attention to our environment, and listen to our emotions.

I used to believe I could cure eczema and help others do the same. But I’ve realized—there is no "cure," because there is no single "cause." It’s a highly individual condition that should be treated as such. What I do believe is that eczema is not just a skin issue. It’s deeply connected to our gut, liver health and mental health.

And steroids? They’re not the answer.

My Advice for You?

Listen to your body. Don’t give up. Find a strong support system. You will get through this. You will heal your eczema too. Don't panic, and don't listen to everyone and try to take everything. It is probably making things worse. Have a plan, and stick to it, no matter how hard it gets. If you ever need to talk, feel free to reach out—I’d be more than happy to help.

Oh, and for everyone who told me I was allergic to cats and should “get rid of them”? We adopted a fourth one three months ago. My skin? Still fine. 😉

#animalwelfare

#adoptdontshop

#yourallergyisinyourgut

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#EczemaWarrior #TSWRecovery #SkinHealing #GutHealth #HolisticHealing #ChronicIllnessAwareness #NaturalRecovery #WellnessCoach #HealthyLiving #HealingJourney #SelfCareMatters #CORECoaching #COREWellness #MoveWithCORE #StrongerWithCORE