From a young age, Alana had struggled with chronic eczema, a condition that made her skin red, itchy and sore. She had tried every remedy including steroidal drugs, creams, antihistamines, oatmeal baths, teas and supplements. Eczema had taken a toll on her mental health – to the point where she was depressed and unable to leave her house. Here she talks more about how acupuncture has changed her life.
What led you to try Acupuncture?
I had exhausted all avenues. I saw over 10 dermatologists and medical doctors, I tried a naturopath, energy healer, herbologist, homeopath, and even chiropractors. No one knew how to help me. Doctor after doctor prescribed steroidal drugs and told to me to apply it liberally all over my body; including my eye lids, around my lips and the palms of my hands.
I was desperate, depressed and ashamed of the way I looked. I heard acupuncture could help with allergies and dermatitis so I looked for a referral and began weekly sessions and I never looked back.
How long did it take to see a change?
Within 2 weeks, my skin was noticeably less inflamed and I was itching much less. I was finally able to start sleeping through the night again. After a few months, my skin was 100% clear.
Other than Acupuncture, what changes did you make to your lifestyle?
One of the biggest changes was dietary. My acupuncturist suggested cutting back on inflammatory foods. Where I personally saw the biggest change to my skin was after removing dairy and eggs from my diet.*
*Every individual will have different inflammatory triggers. Speak to your acupuncturist about what foods may be contributing to your flare ups.
Do you still have flare ups?
Yes, but they aren’t nearly as bad as they used to be. They are minor and easy to keep under control. I can usually attribute the flare ups to something I have eaten – like indulging in ice cream or pizza. I used to have all over body flares up and now it is typically localized to my hands.
What advice would you give to someone who suffers from chronic eczema?
Don’t give up. Acupuncture and lifestyle changes can help.
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Psoriasis and eczema can be brought under control through the use of acupuncture, herbal medicine and diet modifications. If you or someone you know suffers from eczema, give us a call. We can help bring healing and a sense of peace to your life.
