Chad McMurren

Chad was previously a health leader on AtopicDermatitis.net.

My name is Chad McMurren. I grew up in a small town in Manitoba, Canada. I have lived with Eczema since I was a toddler. I have the trifecta, Eczema, Asthma & Allergies. During my childhood, I suffered from skin issues. I remember having cracked hands, elbows, knees, and feet during my childhood.

I remember going for allergy testing to see what I am allergic to. I was allergic to milk, egg, tomato until I was 16 years old. It was nice to finally be able to eat ice cream and pizza! I am still allergic to fish, seafood, all nuts, sesame seeds & bananas. I have to carry a EpiPen around everywhere.

I moved to Australia in 2009 at the age of 30. I came backpacking in 2009 and really have not left. I now have two children, my son is 7 and my daughter is 4.

In 2014 something changed with my body and I started to get red skin, red patches, and hot spots all over my body. I had trouble sleeping and could not sleep with a blanket on; sheet only even in the winter. I would wake numerous times too hot and scratching. I would wear cotton gloves taped on my hands to I would not take the gloves off and would reduce the scratching.

I went through different diets, not knowing what was causing the red skin condition. Is it the water from showering? I took cold to luke warm showers. Is it what I am eating? I would stop eating or drinking certain items to see whether that was what was causing the red skin condition. I went to a few different dermatologist who were not helpful.

In February this year I found TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal) and RRS (Red Skin Syndrome) and after researching it all made sense that it was my addiction to the steroid cream and prednisone that was causing my red skin.

After trying TSW for 12 days I ended up in the hospital for 7 days.

I am now doing better, I still get rash, but I feel that I can control it better now.

I am happy to be joining AtopicDermatitus.net to help people going through similar health issues and help them know that they are not alone.

Click here to read all of Chad's articles on AtopicDermatitis.net.