manage my eczema

The follow-up appointment with the dermatologist yesterday flowed with ease. There were no signs of a rash on my neck – not an ounce of redness, prickliness or itch. What’s left are slightly darker patches of skin which the doctor assured will lighten over time with daily moisturising.

To prevent a possible flare-up, I am to taper off the Prednisolone prescription over the next 10 days. Initially, I had been taking 5 tablets (5mg) daily for 11 days. For the next 5 days, I am to reduce the dose to 3 tablets daily, and thereafter to 1 tablet a day for the remaining 5 days.

Prednisolone (5mg)
Day 1 to 11: 5 tablets daily
Day 12 to 16: 3 tablets daily
Day 17 to 21: 1 tablet daily

The dosage of the Sardip cream has also been reduced to one application a day until the end of the oral medication.

As for the blood test that I was rather anxious about, it did not hurt at all surprisingly. It was less than a pinch and no more than a slight ache after. A review of the test results will be in a week’s time, and I shall confidently head down to the clinic on my own (independent self) again.

It has been slightly over a week since the start of the ezcema treatment and I’m happy to report that the rash on my neck has disappeared.

I’d almost forgot that there was skin under those prickly rashes and the feeling of smooth skin is exquisite. A few others have taken notice and given compliments as well. They were as astonished as I was to see it fade so quickly when it had stubbornly stuck around for the past year.

Sweat no longer triggers it, and I’d like to keep it that way. The follow-up appointment with the dermatologist is in a couple of days and I’m looking forward to hearing what the longer-term treatment will be (to minimise reoccurrence and prevent possible flare-ups).

An appointment with a skin specialist yesterday has diagnosed the rashes on my neck as eczema. 

It was my first time to the clinic. The decor was simplistic, tidy, serene and tranquil. The receptionists were friendly. And the doctor’s office was lined with ceiling to floor glass windows that looked out to the lush greenery abound and invited as much natural light in. It created the atmosphere of a spa which I found particularly soothing. 

The doctor was superb as well. He was patient in listening and explaining informatively, provided notes on the likely causes and guidelines for managing eczema, and also provided website links to read up more on this condition. 

My prescription:
• Prednisolone tablets – 5 every morning after food
• Antiseptic wash – twice daily
• Cetaphil Restoraderm moisturiser – twice daily
• Sardip cream – twice daily

The doctor’s advice is to stop applying calamine lotion as it will further dry out the skin. I am to stick with this treatment regime and check back in with him for a follow-up session in about a week’s time. (That is when a blood test will be taken, which I’m slightly nervous about.)