patient – Preventable: Protecting Our Largest Organ

Different Atopics Podcast

Dr. Matthew Zirwas, an Ohio MD, gave a very poignant (albeit slightly arrogant) talk in Arizona this October about atopic dermatitis in adults and how he categorizes this condition in order to give the right treatment.

He starts off with saying he is able to fix 90% of his patients. About 1 out of 10 of his patients he just isn’t able to truly help. Perhaps they are those with Red Skin Syndrome?

He checks IgE levels to see just how atopic they are (and to help initiate compliance).

Overall, I don’t appreciate the way he spoke about patients (very condescending), and even stated he had no problem lying to patients to get compliance, but I do wish to write about his lecture because it had interesting points.

One of the first things he began to mention was how awful the mainstream treatment for atopic dermatitis is for patients, especially when it comes to topical steroids. Dr. Zirwas gave a scenario of what usually happened when he was a resident. His doctor would state,

“Here is your triamicilone ointment, use dove soap, wear cotton clothes, stay cool, don’t sweat too much, don’t shower too much, good luck.” And we should have said as they were walking out of the door, “you’re not going to get any better…”

He knew there needed to be a change. He wanted to help people actually get better. He said that topical steroids actually make the skin barrier worse. It may seem to help the symptom in the short run but it’s not fixing the problem, it’s actually causing a problem. He uses the analogy of using prednisone on bacterial pneumonia. The patient will feel great 12 hours in, but then will die because the steroids will have allowed the infection to get worse.

“Topical Steroids is probably one of the worst imaginable things you could do. If you were going to say ‘What’s the worst thing you could do for atopic dermatitis, it would be topical steroids.”

Now, I am going to get a little scientific on you. He used A LOT of big words. The lecture was riddled with jargon.

Dr. Zirwas explained the role of filaggrin for our skin. It is what brings together cyto-skeletal proteins. So, he uses the analogy of a hollow brick or shell as your stratum corneum (the outer layer of skin), and the filaggrin is what hardens it so nothing harmful can get in. It then degrades it into amino acids (which is our natural moisturizing factor, acting as a retainer for moisture in the outer layer of skin). Furthermore, it is a source of urocanic acid (a UV absorber). For those of us who are deficient in filaggrin, we are susceptible to friction, dryness and scaling, and fissuring (cracking).

While explaining this, he concludes that we shouldn’t be calling our condition atopic dermatitis, but cutaneous barrier disfunction. The biggest problem is our broken skin barrier.

Normal skin is like a wet sponge, moist and flexible and hard to tear. Atopic skin is much like a dried out sponge that’s hard, dry, and cracks.

He moves on to the main topic of the lecture: his 4 categories and how to treat them.

When it comes to mild-to-moderate atopics, it’s usually just water and irritants penetrating into the skin. With severe atopics, it is usually proteins leaking into the skin. Finding out which proteins these are will help you understand which treatment will work.

Main Goal: 1) Improve Skin Barrier and 2) Reduce protein exposure

The 1st Category, which everyone fits in, is barrier disfunction. This means lichenification, xerotic, usually worse in winter, and dull red. Treatment: physiological moisturizers (Ceramid based moisturizers). He feels these are effective because they penetrate the stratum corneum (outer skin layer), into the keratinocytes, into the golgi, and helps create natural skin moisture.

Ceramide based products, like EpiCerum, take time. Dr. Zirwas says no one will see results overnight. They need at least a week for results.

Here is where I get a bit off with his method, but it’s his way…

He mixes clobetasol steroid solution in with the creams for patients. He tells them to take the 50mg solution and pour it into a tub of new CeraVe (found at your local drug store) and use that for a month, 2x a day. That is a super potent steroid. Why give someone THAT potent of a steroid, regardless that it is diluted? His reasoning is that he feels the physiological cream makes the steroid less harmful to the skin barrier. Is there scientific evidence for this? I have no idea. I wish there was. And I am not sure if he has them do it for more than a month. If it’s just a month, I can kind of calm down about it, but if he puts his patients on this for a while, then it worries me.

The rest of the treatment for your barrier is: Shower at least 2 times a day and put a physiological moisturizer on right after – use a shower filter – double rinse your laundry or use vinegar in the mix – and use DryerMax dyer balls.

He also went into talking about how he feels ointments are not the best choice for topical steroids. His logic is that steroids are looking for the most oily environment. The more oil in our vehicle of choice (like an ointment), the less likely the steroid with leave and penetrate into the skin. So he sees it as ointment is the worst, then cream, then lotion, then solution is the best. I can see his logic in this, but I don’t know of any scientific research backing this. I know ointments are more occlusive, so I would think, no matter what, the steroid would penetrate.

Category 2: Airborne -type

Aesthetically, men have what Dr. Zirwas calls an ‘inverse t-shirt’ pattern. Everything under his shirt is fine, but all the rest of his skin exposed to the outside is not. And women usually have facial dermatitis. Also, these patients usually have asthma and bad itching at night time.

He feels these are the hardest to treat. The problems are protein ‘allergies’, such as dust mites, pollen, ragweed, etc. These allergins are protease, which means they cause itch and worsening of the condition. These are the TH2 and TH17 triggers (which, when imbalanced, cause issues).

His Treatment: Mattress and pillow case covers (keeps the dust mite poop down) – washing at least twice a day, women washing their face as much as they can (and then putting on physiological moisturizers)

Category 3: malassezia driven

It affects the head and neck area. Usually they have eczema as children, but then into adulthood, it gets bad on their face.

This is his favorite type to treat since it’s easiest to him.

His Treatment: Itraconazole (check LFTs — which is liver function) 100mg 2x a day for 2 months, and ??? on weekends 100mg a day (literally could not understand what he said) – or- Ketoconazole (always check LFTs). He feels the former drug is safer than the latter, and feels orals must be used, not anti fungal creams.

Category 4: staph driven

It usually looks like moist atopic dermatitis with fissuring, crusting, and scabbing. Fairly bad eczema but it explodes/flares

He says he doesn’t swab (which made me angry) because he feels most of the time it isn’t MRSA so he doesn’t need to check. Well, I had MRSA on my skin in Month 8 of my withdrawal. If he hadn’t swabbed me, then I would still have had MRSA.

He says there hasn’t been a decent research article written about this. He also touched on antibiotic resistance and how we will be screwed possibly down the road.

His treatment: Keflix, Doxycycline or Bactrim for 4 weeks – Rifampin for 1 week in the beginning paired with one of three above (says it’s for decolonization) – Bleach bath once a week with clean towels, PJs, and sheets – Antibacterial washes (he likes Dial moisturizing antibacterial body wash) – avoid ointments (since he said most are contaminated with bacteria) – Neosporin 1 week per month on nostrils

Also, another reason for staph- driven dermatitis is decreased cathelicidin production. That means Vit-D production. You need to take LARGE doses, about 4,000 units a day. He says a study says it’s safe to take that much. No idea where that study is, but you can try and find it.

After explaining all of the different categories, he goes into some of the other treatments he gives on top of these if the patients are really bad. Things like immunosuppressants (Cellcept, Cyclosporin, Methotrexate). He says he barely prescribes these things since he can usually get things under control with his normal treatments.

Overall, it was informative. His method of treatment interests me, but not so much the compound steroid with CeraVe. I wonder how these patients would fair without the use of the steroids and just the other elements of his treatment.

Prescription Without A Cause

It’s not the steroid itself I have a problem with in the medical community. No. It is the overprescription & the lack of detective work to see if the patient even NEEDS the steroid that can cause so much harm when abused. That is what I have a problem with…

Take this dentist for instance. Here is the article that surfaced about his intense struggle with facial eczema.

Link to full article about Dr. Frances Tavares

This dentist, Dr. Frances Tavares, was not only misdiagnosed and mistreated, but then had to deal with Red Skin Syndrome because of his overprescription of topical steroids (on his face no less). We already know that the face is one of the most sensitive areas/high absorption spots on the body. To use topical steroids on the face is already a risk, but then for such a long period of time is extremely neglectful.

After countless different dermatologists giving him different brands of topical steroids, Dr. Tavares was finally allergy tested 2 YEARS after first being seen. That is an obscene amount of time for a dermatologist to wait when the patient is not responding well to the steroid. It even says on topical steroid inserts that doctors should reassess the situation if it doesn’t get better (… not 2 years later).

After he had the allergy test, he found out he had an allergy to propylene glycol, which is commonly found in lotions, toothpaste and other body care products. By getting rid of products with this ingredient, he was fine. Or was he?…

No, he wasn’t. He had to withdrawal from the topical steroids that he had been using for so long because dermatologists didn’t take the time to properly diagnosis him. If they found the root cause to begin with, there would not have been any need for steroids.

And the biggest problem I find about this article is the emphasis they put on tapering, as if to say tapering solves all your problems. There are many Red Skin Syndrome sufferers who have tapered down, just as their doctors have prescribed, and still flare badly. Could it help with adrenal fatigue? Sure, I can see that if they need it for their adrenals. But to say they will be fine once they taper is not accurate.

“The doctor who diagnosed Tavares’ allergy says there’s no problem with the prescription of corticosteroids, but it is a mistake for patients to come off them cold turkey.”

Yes, yes there is a problem. No, I am not a doctor, but YES there is a problem. These topical steroids should not be prescribed for long periods of time, especially not on the face. It is not only neglectful but shows a lack of education on the topic of steroids.

So, I beg of you. If you have a rash come up, anywhere, get it tested (allergy and or swabbed for infection) before you start slathering on topical steroids as a solution. They are not meant for a long term solution.

Feature #7: Paloma & Juli-Anne

Paloma Rumsey

Age: 33

Career: Stay at home mom

When did you cease using topical steroids: November 5th 2015

What type did you use: Protopic (immnunosupressant) for about 10 years & triamcinolone acetonide for a few months

What is your favorite product for comfort? I used a lot of Acquaphor, original brand of Walmart brand or RiteAid brand. Also bepanthen nappy cream

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? Not being able to care or interact with my children and husband

What is the first thing you will do when healed? Take my babies for swimming classes and I will workout until I drip sweat

Juli-Anne Coward

Age: 49

Career: Artist and commended picture framer

When did you cease using topical steroids: 19th September 2016

What type did you use: Injected cortisone 6 months ( age 9), varyious topicals ranging from otc to most potent dermavate, betnovate, eumovate, hydrocortisone. Inhahled becotide, several courses of oral prednisone.

What is your favorite product for comfort? Dead Sea salt in the bath and sudo cream on the skin.

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? There are many hard parts, not knowing how long, the intensity of pain, mentally crippling, all consuming. Not being understood by doctors .

What is the first thing you will do when healed? It is hard to say at the moment there will be lots of things I will look forward to I am sure one will be renovating our Spanish house, but trying to help others and raise awareness of this disease

Interview #3: Kelly Fasciana

Kelly Fasciana

Pennsylvania, US

1.When did you start using topical steroids? And why?

Roughly ten years old. I’ve had severe eczema since birth; however my mom tried to hold on being as natural as possible throughout my early childhood.

2. What was the name of the topical steroid?

I’m 24 now, and I have about 13 years of usage under my belt (quit when I was 23). I started off with the usual hydrocortisone ointment and triamcinalone for most of my later childhood. I’d say these two were actually used properly and sparingly as I had bouts of time with nice normal skin and usually only flared in the winter. Next we move to Cordran ointment 0.05% (flurandrenolide), which was used EXTENSIVELY in my late high school/college years. I’m talking multiple times a day, every day, for about 7/8 years. Not one doctor ever told me otherwise –so I just continued to get scripts filled like it was anything. Lastly diprolene cream 0.05% (betamethasone dipropionate) was prescribed to me around early 2015 when I was starting to catch on that steroids were causing me more harm than good. I only used this for a couple weeks before I quite steroids cold turkey. Also in 2014 and early 2015 I had multiple steroid injections and a couple rounds of oral prednisone.

3. Were you ever prescribed more potent steroids?

See above.

4. How did you find out about RSS?

From googling uncontrollable, incessant, terrible, (etc) eczema in adulthood and stumbling across ITSAN, Cara Ward’s, and TReczema’s youtube videos.

5. What made you feel you had RSS?

I started to suspect I had RSS early Jan-March 2015. I would flare so terribly if I didn’t keep up with my incessant and inappropriate use of my steroids. I would have anxiety or panic attacks if I ran out and didn’t have a refill called in because I knew what was to come. I couldn’t go away or do anything without steroids. I was 12564641321% completely dependent on those tubes of cream/ointment. And was for years, and had no idea. I couldn’t tell you how many dermatologists I saw around this time. They all said I had uncontrollable severe adult eczema and kept trying to push the stronger steroids/immunos. I saw a naturopath, who agreed to stop the steroids, and pushed a million and one expensive supplements on me (which just killed my pocket and honestly didn’t ease the start of the tsw symptoms).

6. Were you diagnosed by a doctor? Did you have a supportive doctor?

None of the derms I saw believed in tsw. “Intrinsic atopic dermatitis” has been my stricken supposed diagnosis my entire life.

7. What were your first symptoms?

Symptoms: red raw burning itchy oozing skin. The burning feeling is out of this world. In the beginning mostly my face, neck and hands were afflicted. The initial flare was from March 2015-May 2015. I then had a bit of a break, followed by a bunch of shorter, less severe flares. Suffered/suffering from severe anxiety, depression, insomnia, body temperature regulation, hair loss, eye problems. The overall pain was extremely difficult to cope with, and is still to this day. I constantly feel like my flesh is being torn from my limbs with every movement. I’m constantly on fire. I’m near constantly oozing from somewhere on my body. My entire life has been turned upside down. I do not live a life as a normal 20-something, and haven’t in a very long time.

8. Is your family supportive? Friends?

My family has been my rock through all of this. My mom has been my main caretaker. Helping me to bathe, wash my hair, feed me (at some points my arms and hands have been so bad I have very little use of them) and pretty much everything else needed to function on a daily basis. My older brother who is a pharmacist has been immensely helpful in helping me to research and learn new things every day. He is also an advocate for the dangers of topical steroids with his pharmacy customers after watching what has happened with me. And lastly, although tsw has seriously tested my relationship with my boyfriend, he has been there for support and encouragement through it all.

9. Have you ever been to a hospital for this?

No, although family members considered taking me multiple times. I avoided going for a fear of just receiving more steroids because of the state of my skin.

10. What has been the hardest part of this condition?

Emotionally, I am so drained. I don’t feel like myself. I lash out at the people I love, the people who take care of me. Chronic pain and very little sleep really messes with your head. Physically, I feel like my body is failing me every day. Financially I am ok (for now) as I have managed to continue to work through withdrawal for the most part. I took two months off of work from 15-17 months. So I struggled with money for a short time, too.

11. How long have you been in withdrawal?

I stopped all steroids March 18, 2015. Currently 19 months. I am no where close to being healed. Currently I am switching between immunosuppressive drugs to remain in a functioning state.

12. What do you use as comfort measures during this?

Pain meds (tramadol, vicodin), anxiety meds (ativan, paxil), anti-itch meds (allegra, benadryl, atarax), lots of zinc cream/bandages, lots of baths, lots of aquaphor.

13. Are you employed? Has this affected your job status?

I’m a vaccine specialist for a pharmaceutical company. TSW has tremendously affected my job, because unfortunately in the pharmaceutical industry it is important to look your best. I had to take an unpaid leave of absence for two months, as well.

14. Have you gone to therapy/wish to go to therapy because of this condition?

At 19 months in, the emotional burden has really taken a toll. I have recently scheduled to see a psychology and psychiatrist.

15. If there is one thing you could say to another sufferer, what would it be?

If I could say something to another sufferer, maybe just beginning this journey, I’d say to just hang in there…. It seems like you can’t get through and I know how you feel. But the body is capable of amazing things and eventually bouts of healing and relief do happen.

Awesome interview, Kelly!

Feature #6: Sally & Susan

Sally Yirka

Age: 33

Career: Nurse (opiate addiction field)

When did you cease using topical steroids: 10/3/14

What type did you use: Triamcinolone and Betamethasone

What is your favorite product for comfort? Dead Sea Salt in the bath

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? It has changed since the beginning months to now. Now the worst part is not the physical symptoms, though I still have them and they still suck, it is the mental battle. Currently battling some pretty heavy depression/anxiety.

What is the first thing you will do when healed? I have a whole list, but the thing I have been wanting most is a tattoo. Thinking of getting a tiny Elephant (can’t help but feel connected to them with all my Elephant skin) holding a phoenix feather in its trunk behind my left ear (we all are rising from burning ashes that is for sure).

Susan Ryza

Age: 63

Career: Jewelry Designer, Crafts teacher

When did you cease using topical steroids: 9/29/2011

What type did you use: FML eye ointment, OTC hydrocortisone, 2.5% hydrocortisone, Rhinocort nasal inhaler, Asthmacort inhaler

What is your favorite product for comfort? I used Vaseline in the early months, then palm oil, then beef tallow. In the last few years, I decided not to put anything on my skin that I wouldn’t eat or at least be a pure, natural ingredient. I’ve been making my own cream mixing beef tallow, shea butter, avocado oil, sunflower oil almond oil and a few drops of lavender essential oil. I also use Hoskings cream (from Australia) on my eyelids. In the last few weeks, however, I’ve found that I’m better off with nothing most of the time, even though I still have dry, rough areas on my arms, hands and parts of my face.

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? Itching! And lack of sleep the first 6 months. I only oozed twice for a day or two, so that wasn’t a problem for me. I also never had lack of energy.

What was the first thing you did when healed? See my friends. I was a recluse for a long time because I was so itchy I couldn’t sit still. Also, just sitting still is such a pleasure!

How is this Legitimate?

This is the abstract from a review done in Australia on the effects of TCS in children.

“… and their unfounded concerns…” Ya, you read that right. I’m quite concerned as to what they deem unfounded?

“Contrary to popular perceptions, (TCS) use in pediatric eczema does not cause atrophy, hypopigmentation, hypertrichosis, osteoporosis, purpura or telangiectasia when used appropriately as per guidelines.”

Link for above article

It is well known that using topical steroids on children should be used with extreme caution, and if parents have questions or concerns, they didn’t just suddenly make them up in their head. No, they have undoubtedly heard things (that are likely founded) and have every right to be concerned. Often times, children even outgrow eczema. If their case is mild, there is no reason to start lathering them in topical steroids (in my personal opinion). Babies get rashes and skin blemishes. If they aren’t bothering the child or aren’t severe, perhaps finding a more natural way to deal with their skin would be best before jumping onto steroids.

A problem I also have with the “use appropriately as per guidelines” sentence is that doctors often stray from the said guidelines. If the product says to only use the drug a certain way and the doctor’s discretion is different, then there is a huge problem. No amount of “don’t worry” or “it’s totally safe” will in actuality make it safe for you to go past the 2 to 4 week rule in children. And, the larger the surface area you are told to put the steroid, the higher the potential of adverse effects (you know, those “unfounded” ones).

To further my proof, you can read the FDA Evaluation and Research paper.

Founded by three different references, it states, “… HPA axis suppression has been observed in infants and children with both high potency and low potency topical corticosteroids.” Why on earth would you put a child at an even higher risk with potent steroids when they should only be placed on the least potent steroid first, of which they could still risk having side effects if used over the guideline mark? For example, this evaluation states Fluticasone (Class 5 steroid), is said to be approved for patients 3 months old and up for a maximum of 4 weeks. Other studies show an even shorter period of 2 weeks should be utilized. The potent and super potent steroids are Class 1 and 2.

The best part of this research paper: “… the labeling of each product should advise practitioners of the appropriate duration of use of the product. The labeling should give information regarding how quickly improvement in dermatoses should occur after therapy with topical corticosteroid is started, and practitioners should be advised to discontinue the product if improvement does not occur within this time frame.”

It doesn’t say if the steroid isn’t working, immediately up their potency. It says DISCONTINUE. They need to be reassessed.This is what is supposed to happen.

Feature #4: Adele & Tessa

Adele Newman

Age: 30

Career: Barmaid

When did you cease using topical steroids: July 2015

What type did you use: Prednisone. Eumovate, Elecon, Betnovate,Trimovate.

What is your favorite product for comfort? Aveeno skin relief lotion and vaseline

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? The pain and being unable to move somedays. Not being able to look after/do things with my 2 kids the way I used to.

What is the first thing you will do when healed? Take my kids swimming, do as much activities as I can with my kids, and treating myself to new clothes that don’t have to be cotton and long sleeved!

Feature #3: Megan & Sheryl

Megan Garza

Age: 25

Career: Unemployed due to TSW

When did you cease using topical steroids: September 2014 last application of TS

What type did you use: Clobetasol, Triamcinolone, Fluocinolone and Protopic 0.1% ( I’ve also been on iv/ oral rounds)

What is your favorite product for comfort? Lemongrass balm, avene thermal spring water, & organic rose water

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? The beginning days of TSW when I had cracks all over my face/ neck and oozing. Having my hands completely covered with RSS as well as oozing blisters on all my fingers. Self esteem has been shot down completely due to TSW as well as having anxiety.

What is the first thing you will do when healed? Wear a short sleeve shirt with jean shorts. Then I would take off to a beach and wear a bikini 24/7 and soaking up some sun rays.

Sheryl Morris

Age: 36

Career: Systems Support Officer, University of Dundee, Scotland

When did you cease using topical steroids: 1st time Sep 2010, 2nd time was 6th Jan 2013 (however was on orals between Mar 2013 and Dec 2013). Date stopped using any type of steroids 21st Dec 2013

What type did you use: Hydrocortisone, Elocon, Dermovate, Betnovate creams/ointments. Also used Haelan Tape (tape impregnated with steroids), oral steroids (prednisolone), hair mousse (betnovate in it)

What is your favorite product for comfort? The turning point for me came when I started using a combination of Milton bleach solution on patches skin that kept getting infected along with Manuka honey under cotton gloves for my hands overnight. I also found using Moogoo shampoo, conditioner, baby bubbles wash and nut oil free moisturiser really helping. I also use a nettle moisturisers made locally in Scotland. I used several different products over the years, some helped at different stages of the process – for example, heavy 50/50 really helped my skin when it was red raw but trapped heat and bacteria in so in the long run actually made it worse, and more itchy.

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? Recurring skin infections, lack of support from doctors/dermatologists, the uncontrollable itch, the pain, the wet feeling of ooze, feeling disgusted, the flakes of skin EVERYWHERE, depression, anxiety

What is the first thing you did when you healed? First thing I did when I got my first real break was go to Glastonbury festival and few months later got married, I did have several skin infections after this so it took a while longer before I felt truly healed.

Feature #2: Ava & Christine

Ava Knapp

Age: 5 years old

Career: I start kindergarten next year

When did you cease using topical steroids: January 16, 2016

What type did you use: All kinds but chlobetasol foam .05% is the last one I used.

What is your favorite product for comfort? Homemade zinc cream and Dead Sea salt baths

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? The burning and itching has been the hardest part. I really didn’t like all the skin I found in my bed. I’ve lost a lot of hair and some fingernails along the way, too.

What is the first thing you will do when healed? Wear dresses and sandals comfortably!! I also want to take a dance class again and be able to wear the recital outfit without having a reaction this time.

Christine Lozano

Age: 26

Career: Marriage & Family Therapist

When did you cease using topical steroids: June 15, 2016

What type did you use: Not sure exact names of topicals, but many different creams/ointments of various strengths. Most recently used oral steroids (Prednisone) April-June 2016 (for 8 weeks)

What is your favorite product for comfort? Zinc cream. Many natural supplements prescribed from my wonderful naturopthic doctor.

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? There are absolutely no words that could describe the physical, mental, and emotional pain of this journey. Every single day-to-day activity became an excruciatingly painful moment.

What is the first thing you will do when healed? I wouldn’t consider myself healed, but I’m in the process! When I am healed, I will exercise, sweat, take a completely pain-free shower, and smile.

Feature #1: Joanne & Sandy

Joanna Anderson

Age: 36

Career: Daycare provider. Forced to close business due to RSS. Unemployed.

When did you cease using topical steroids: April 2015

What type did you use: Clobetasol propionate.

What is your favorite product for comfort? Curel itch defense with ceramide.

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? Having to be alone taking care of my newborn despite the pain.

What is the first thing you will do when healed? When I am healed I will help others in need.

Sandy Weinberg

Age: 53

Career: Customer service Representative for ReadyRefresh by Nestlé (Nestlé Waters)

When did you cease using topical steroids: I stopped using prednisone the beginning of June 2015

What type did you use: Mainly oral prednisone, also Triamcinolone, Desonide Cream and Clocortolone Pivalate Cream

What is your favorite product for comfort? I have a few favorites: Stephanie’s Home Apothecary Body balms, coconut Oil and Cerave products, also started using Germolene cream…love it!

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? Working out and running. Saying no to going out with friends. Not being able to sit in the sun. Missing a lot of time from my job .

What is the first thing you will do when healed? Possibly run a marathon! Spending more time with family and friends. Just enjoying life! Traveling and meeting some of the others who have gone through like myself.