#elocon

Today at work I was in pain. It felt like someone was lightly pricking me on the back and my sides. I tried to get rid of the pain by scratching the skin - the same skin that only a week ago was dry, flaky, and hurt to move. It's safe to say I'm having a "good skin" week, even though I've started using my steroid cream again.

I've read a lot of articles and blogs relating to eczema and how other people have had positive healing stories going steroid free. However, I have taken into account their journeys have not been easy - some eczema sufferers taking over a year to get over topical steroid withdrawal - and at this time in my life, the road is simply too daunting for me to take.

Whilst I've been completely awed at the success stories these people are testament to, at the moment, I can't imagine going through five months of hell; the ten steps forward, nine steps back approach, and continue to live life on a day to day basis battling my skin as well as continuing to go to work to bring home to bacon. Maybe if I had read these success stories whilst I was still living at home this feat would have been more feasible. Oh, the beauty of hindsight.

I hope to never need a tube of my steroid cream as my safety net. One day.

For now, I thought it would be helpful for myself to be able to document my skin. It's so often that I am fixated on the part of me that is flaring up and giving me grief that I fail to see that another part of my skin has cleared and is, momentarily, eczema free.

I am no martyr, all my skin-care routines have been formed from trial and error, and even now I have so much to learn about more natural remedies of caring for my skin. But I would, however, love your company along the way.

With love,