My 3-Step Counterattack on Eczema

Ah, eczema, that irritating, bothersome, utterly insufferable fiend that sneaks into one’s life and stays forever, like a distant relative you didn’t invite to Christmas but who somehow turns up anyway and refuses to leave. I’d been wrestling with this absurd condition my entire life, applying steroid creams and slathering on moisturizers, as though trying to drown a forest fire with a garden hose. My skin was perpetually at war with itself, and my primary tactic was simply to survive.

For about forty years, I embraced the notion that this was my lot in life. Eczema would loom over me like some sort of doom-laden cloud, restricting my activities, my wardrobe, my choice of pillowcases… all of it. I felt rather like a prisoner to my own skin, if I’m honest. And I, having little choice, accepted this fate with all the stoic resignation of a man who’s just dropped his toast butter-side down on a freshly cleaned carpet.

What was my light bulb moment?

But then, something remarkable happened. You might even call it a “light bulb moment.” A sudden, dazzling illumination that made me realize there might just be a better way. I embarked on a journey of research, reading books, listening to podcasts, watching other people’s success stories with eczema and TSW (that’s topical steroid withdrawal for those fortunate enough not to be in the know). I explored topics like nutrition, dermatology, mental health, and fitness. I connected with eczema sufferers from every corner of the globe, discovering that I was, in fact, not the only one cursed by this totally debilitating affliction.

That was the moment I decided it was time to fight back—yes, against my very own skin! I decided to give it everything I had, to reclaim my life from the inside out. And what did I find? Well, I found it’s a work in progress, a marathon, not a sprint (which is ironic, as I am allergic to jogging).

What were my goals?

I set myself three main goals:

1. Sleep
2. Diet
3. Exercise

These three pillars, as it turned out, would be the foundation of my counterattack.

How would I tackle sleep?

Okay, sleep! Or, as I used to call it, “that thing that everyone else seemed to be getting but me.” For years, I had scratched and wriggled my way through countless nights, convinced that restful sleep was something I’d forfeited long ago. But I realized that if I was ever going to make peace with my skin, I’d have to start here. However, where to begin?

How did I tackle diet?

Changing my diet, it turns out, was nothing short of miraculous. I started adding things to my diet rather than just cutting things out — a novel approach! I embraced seeds, nuts, fish, beans, leafy greens — the kinds of things that make you feel both incredibly healthy and slightly smug. The ultra-processed foods, though? Gone. Sugar? Out. And would you believe it — my skin cleared. Not to porcelain perfection, mind you, but to the point where I’d call it a solid 90%. And that was a percentage I could live with!

With my improved diet came improved sleep, and with improved sleep came… the third challenge.

How did I tackle exercise?

Now, I’m a severe asthmatic, so running around wildly was out of the question. So, I opted for gentle resistance training — just fifteen minutes a day, so as not to alarm the neighbors. But here’s the twist: with my flares calmed and my sleep finally cooperating, I had the energy for it!

Has it worked for my eczema?

And so, dear eczema warrior, that’s my story. I’m not completely free of eczema, but for the first time, I’m living without it dictating my every move. If you find yourself battling eczema and looking to send it packing — or at least packing lightly — I can highly recommend starting with these three: sleep, diet, and a touch of cautious exercise. Good luck people!