How I survived TSW and healed from Eczema - A personal story about the fight for my skin.
Updated: Oct 22
At the beginning, 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 could never 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 eating food became terrifying.
How It Started
What began as a small dry patch and mild itching after runs spiralled 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. (Sounds familiar?)
When doctors ran out of ideas, they blamed my cats (despite the fact that I had grown up surrounded by pets with no issues and had no respiratory symptoms). 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 felt like they were grasping at straws.
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. And when medical professionals didn't really have an idea, they would just throw the kitchen sink at me and wait to see what happened. (In hindsight, I feel like jumping from one solution to the next and mixing too many things at once is what probably made me worse.)
My first years of experience with eczema:
During TSW and the recovery, after a few years of living with this condition. (If anyone could call this living):
(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 even pick up the phone...)
I could write all about the 5+ years of hell I have been through, but this is not the point of this article. And I am sure that if you were "attracted" to this post, most likely you have been or are going through the same hell at this exact moment. So I don't need to explain to you how it feels...
So, Did I Heal from Eczema?
Yes, I did heal from eczema. And I know that you can heal from it, too. As I am updating this post today, it's been around 2 years since my last episode (not to jinx it), and I feel like I finally have it under control. I am steroid-free, I can eat anything without fear, and I am back to my regular workouts — including outdoor runs.
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).
An occasional itch or a mosquito bite-like rash makes me paranoid that my eczema is back, but for the most part, I’m doing great.
What Actually Helped? (In My Case)
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.”
(I was sceptical at first, but looking back, if I had started here instead of damaging my body with steroids for so many years, my withdrawal would have been easier. Instead, I went through 3–6 months of hell. (You can read more about my TSW and RSS [here].)
Strict Diet and Lifestyle Changes
I eliminated (temporarily):
Sugar
Gluten
Dairy
Alcohol & Coffee
Processed and fried foods
! All elimination diets should be "custom-made", temporary, and consulted with a knowledgeable professional. It's not only about removing and avoiding certain foods. You need to fuel and nourish your body, too.
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 - and only when needed)
Supplements to balance my hormone levels
Ashwagandha 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 completely "naturally" over time, but these treatments and supplements sped up the process and made an already unbearable journey slightly more manageable. If you are interested in trying any of them, always do so under the supervision of a qualified practitioner!
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.” And that was probably the best advice anyone has given me. So — although scared to just stop and do nothing — I took a break, travelled, and visited my family in India. During Diwali, I ate everything — including foods I had feared for years — and even had a few drinks. That was in November 2024. I was so happy and relieved to see that none of it affected me.
The Biggest Lesson I Learned after 5+ Years of Eczema?
I had to STOP relying on medications and ointments as my only approach. I had to START looking at the bigger picture and healing from the inside out, too.
Important note: This is not medical advice. It is what helped and healed me. If you are planning to stop your medication or make any drastic changes to your lifestyle, make sure that you consult your physician or any other qualified practitioner.)
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 brush nutrition, sleep, and stress management under the carpet because they are "too basic", and we don't believe they could be the root cause of our health issues.
We live in a world that constantly makes us stressed and inflamed. We live this way for years, if not decades, slowly damaging our bodies from the inside. But when our gut or skin suddenly rebels against us, we think that a 4-week elimination diet or a month of probiotics will fix everything. And when it doesn't, we assume that this is not the solution.
We need to be vigilant, read labels, pay attention to our environment, and listen to our emotions. We need to slow down and be patient. Every time your skin flares or your gut gets upset, your body is trying to tell you something. Your body attempts to heal itself. Popping a pill or slapping a dab of ointment while ignoring the signs is equivalent to trying to shut it down and move on.
I believe that there is no "cure" for eczema because there is no single "cause." It’s a highly individual condition that should be treated as such. I also believe that eczema is not just a skin issue. It’s deeply connected to our gut, liver, mental health, and environment.
And steroids? In my opinion, they’re not the answer. They are temporary relief.
My Advice for You?
Listen to your body. Don’t give up. Don't panic.
Find a strong support system. You will get through this. Keep looking for the support and approach that work for you. Have a plan, and stick to it, no matter how hard it gets.
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