Eczema Warrior Amy Aston on Her Battle and Steroid Withdrawal Awareness | This Morning 

Oh thank GOD a dermatologist is finally acknowledging this in public! I’ve been suffering from TSW for 3 years - it is a fate worse than death, and most of us have to battle through it alone with no support from the medical community.

Finally this is reaching the mainstream! Thank you This Morning for pursuing this. I was applying for 2.5 years. Now at 15 months of TSW I’m over the worst of it. A horrific “condition”. The whole pharmaceutical industry is corrupt. They want us to be addicted! Remember - a patient healed is a customer lost.

I suffer with chronic eczema and found this to be very helpful. What a brave woman. Also the Doctor had a lovely good old fashioned bedside manner with empathy. Wish there were more like him.

I remember a little boy in my class in the 70’s crying in the playground because it was so cold and he had shorts on and his eczema was bleeding on his knee joints…the teachers didn’t seem to care…it still upsets me now to think of that.

I’ve had TSW for 2 years this month. I’m So glad it’s getting more recognition. The worst thing about this is that there no help from doctors or dermatologists

I had TSW. As a mother in my 30s with a full time job, I couldn’t ride it out. Never suffered with my mental health before but honestly wanted to die. I’ve never experienced pain like this and pray to God I never will again! I took methotrexate and I’ve been clear two and a half years 🙌

It's amazing to see this... like this woman, iv been using topical steroids all my life... stopped using them in January this year... my skin has been constantly itching oozing and stinging and I haven't been able to sleep consistently for months... as the dr said i am of those who cant use my emollients as they sting to wash even stings..I can't even wear underwear and have to wear very light clothing.. so I went no moisturise and changed my diet ... low hystamine, hi protein diet, no dairy diet...drink lots of turmeric tea with vit a c b12 b5 and 6 and vit d.. now my skin although still very itchy has calmed down alot...it now wants oils as it has become very dry...it's hard but I would never go back to that poison of topical steroid.... the pharmaceutical industry need suing as far as I'm concerned.. Dr's need to look in to holistic therapies that they've been opposed to for all these years they will find some answers there...

What a brave lady to come on and address such a widespread issue of the dangers of topical steroid use. Dermatology is NOT the foolproof science backed, has all the answers solution that it professes to be. Having gone through my own struggle with painful rosacea and skincare products worsening my skin over the past 10 years and the only advice from dermatologists was to carry on using these products and once being prescribed a steroid cream which i reacted horrificly to.... I can safely say after a year of putting nothing on my skin it is Finally begining to heal. But my god the horrible journey I've been on just like this brave woman. We honestly need to question dermatologist advice and realise that they give very blanket advice that does not take into consideration more sensitive skin types which are so so common today. Great awareness for TSW. Sending strength and love to everyone going through it. If you feel suicidal you are not alone. You are so brave and please persevere with no steroids and letting your skin heal on its own even if it takes years.

Wow so glad of this awareness my son has suffered from TSW since November and has been healing since through health coaching. I refused any more creams and was gaslit by the dermatologist that it was just eczema. This is not just eczema it is a debilitating condition caused by topical steroid creams period, I am so happy this has been brought to the public attention. If anyone wants support please reach out as I can share what Iv done to support my son.

Thank you to Amy and Dr Moncrieff for speaking out about this. I’ve been going through TSW for 2.5 years and it has been the most brutal and traumatic experience of my life. I hope the medical profession and the government are listening. This condition is ruining lives. Listen to your patients, fund more research and please take TSW seriously!

I really feel for this lady😢 I don’t have eczema, but I have severe psoriasis and it’s very similar and debilitating. Sending love to everyone who is suffering, stay strong💪🏼

Amy you are strong beyond words! The symbolism of that butterfly shirt is not missed on me girl!! You are in the throes of such a devasatingly painful metamorphosis and the humble grattitute you showed for your friends and family demonstrates such profound inner beauty witnessed only by those who also know the depths of this kind of suffering. I was in your condition for what felt at the time like eternity. My withdrawal took four years, the first two severe, full body, and debilitating. The later comprised of many good months followed by surprising and long heartbreaking flares. It seemed to define my whole existence, because everything else about me seemed to be stripped away. I'm fully healed now with minor rashes here and there probably not worth mentioning. I swim in the ocean, run and sweat, wear makeup and perfumes, and revel in the softness of silk of chenille! I know you will arrive at this place too and will be utterly overwhelmed with peace and relief if you can only survive this. It's okay if you don't do it perfectly or know exactly to be really good at being chronically ill, but if you can just live through it, you will be met with an answered prayer. And that feeling will come back over and over again in simple and quiet ways, like some future day when you dip your hands into a cold stream to splash your face. And I know that day is not here now, and so this distant fantasy might come across as empty words. So, if I can offer you one thing now, it's the recognition of the indestructible light within you. If you cannot have physical ease, then I pray you have peace from knowing you are strong and you are loved and you WILL endure!! All my best Amy. -Amanda

This brave girl speaks for many. Dermatologists listen and listen closely .

Thank goodness it’s being spoken about in the media! Feeling validated !

The pain of a doctor telling you steroids are "your only option" is unbearable when you know tsw exists. The fear of being stuck between steroids and uncontrollable pain with no offered alternative is heartbreaking and it's amazing to see people speak about it publicly 💕

For those doctors who have always given me topical steroid creams and laughed in my face when I told them I'm in TSW and I don't want any steroid, they should be re-educated!

I have been suffering with atopic eczema so good to have this on here

this info needs to be in every waiting room of every doctors office and dermatologist in the uk

i’ve had eczema since birth too, it’s getting better now, im 22 and focused on my diet or triggers and have started training at the gym. my skin has never been better. you need to figure out the triggers and work round them. I really feel for her, i know exactly how she feels, I was at the lowest points of my life when mine was bad.

My heart truly goes out to people suffering with this debilitating condition. One of my children suddenly broke out when he was only 4/5 months old and thankfully grew out of it but there was a period of a few months before we got referred to the children’s allergy clinic when he would scratch so badly he would bleed, sleep was disturbed etc it was so awful.

Most of my eczema and spots cleared up once I gave up dairy 👍 Dairy has huge links with skin conditions.

I’ve been through this over the past year and it’s completely soul destroying. Was sent to 2 specialists who tried to prescribe me more steroids. It was an experienced nurse who listened and understood. Ended up having UV light therapy which was pretty good. Not out the woods yet. Just know that there are others out there that are also suffering. You are not alone.

For me it has been 7 years. Everything is fully healed except my hands. I am in agony. My hands are very cracked open and it keeps me from doing stuff around the house so you can imagine how hard it is for me at work. I have to believe that it will get better.

Great program My daughter in law suffers terribly with this condition and it's so good to see it's getting g some recognition thank you

I’m going through this now and I know people say to use dry therapy not washing or drinking much water, just letting your skin dry out but this is what makes the itching worse and your skin is trying to detox from the cortisone. I made up a tallow cream adding frankincense essential oil and it has been a lifesaver. My skin is still inflamed but it is bearable. I can sleep and the itching is significantly decreased. There are many RU-vid tutorials on making this natural cream. It doesn’t hurt to apply at all. Because the beef tallow is similar in makeup to our own skin it works wonders. I buy suet from grass fed cows from my butcher and they mince it for me. It is very cheap to buy. I render down 1 cup suet in a heavy based pan on the stove on lowest heat. Then add 1/4 cup avocado oil then add 15 drops pure frankincense essential oil

I was on steroids for a week and I looked like a hot mess. I was so bloated and swollen. It only masked my symptoms and once I got off the steroids my symptoms came right back in full force. Never again will I agree on taking steroids.

also going through it for 42months now.. still oozing on my chest & neck

It’s so nice to finally see a dermatologist/doctor from the industry finally recognising the realisation of us who suffer with TSW and eczema itself! I suffered with this 3 years ago and still have my flare ups at seasonal peaks of the year - seen doctors, dermatologists and nothing seems to work for the long haul. Much better than I was, I couldn’t even put water on my face/body as the pain was so severe and awful I would scream.

Brave amy 👏 we will get recognition we deserve

I have been suffering with the same for 30 years on and off. And only within the last few years was it at its worst. I stopped using steriods for a number of years now, but i do get waves of withdrawals, right now i am at my worst so i hope things get better.

Been on severe eczema and topical steriod withrawal myself for 9 mos and now I am clear. Frustrated from all my dermatologists I had to go to a functional doctor. must say I had to fix my leaky gut to heal from the inside. having grain free anti inflammatory low-carb and high protein diet, exercise, daily morning walks, and supplements like probiotics,digestive enzyme, zinc, fish oil, turmeric, glutamine has worked for me tremendously. Going to a functional doctor who knows about leaky gut and tsw will definitely help fix it.

My son had eczema shortly after he was born , one midwife thought it was a heat rash but advised to make a doctors appointment , year later 2009 i ended up with eczema

My heart goes out to you. It's awful.

My child suffered exzema and they pushed steroids and I said no. His evzema is gone but there are food issues - food allergies that lead to exczema. It is a gut issue, address gut problems and you will cure it. It is not skin issue, its a gut.

I have seen some serious cases like Amy's on TV and YT lately. I can't imagine how terrible their situation is. I have eczema that is 5-10% of what they have, but even that is terrible. Doctors have to educate themselves in waiting for better medical treatment.

Finally they recognize it, I went through tsw a year ago. 99% recovery

I’m sorry to hear about this experience - I have atopic dermatitis and that alone is exhausting: even when the skin isn’t ‘flared’, it’s incessantly dry and sensitive. Topical steroids work but as soon as they’re stopped, it starts coming back and then it’s another month of watching your skin flare before allowed to start steroids again. I don’t feel safe in the hands of dermatologists (my referral wait time is a year long), but I dearly hope all who suffer with it start receiving better, more empathetic treatment soon, with higher quality emollients available on the NHS (eczema can be EXPENSIVE!)

💯this happened to me.. tsw is a million times worse than my eczema ever was.. and after tsw I now live with constant anxiety that I never had before and my immune system hasn’t been the same either

It’s so unfair that some people suffer with this. I know so many people who have this and it’s just horrible. It must be awful to be massively itchy and sore all the time. Steroid cream is so harsh for the skin, no wonder it inflames already inflamed eczema skin 😢I hope this woman’s skin improves, it’s just so unfair

My eczema improves when I eat a strong probiotic like Cocoyo yogurt. I'm definitely allergic to even the tiniest trace of black mold on the skin of onions, even if the skin is peeled off. Eating lots of cocoyo suppresses the eczema response. Good luck to everyone. Following an anti inflammatory diet helps as well to control the eczema.

Prescription steroids are the first medication doctors go to. Steroids have to be used so carefully and minimally. When your skin breaks down like this it leaves you so vulnerable to infection. Eczema is so personal to the person, as what suits one doesn’t suit another. Speaking as an eczema sufferer and parent of a child diagnosed with acute eczema at age 4 months. I find diet is very important, sleep, keeping healthy, natural fibres, non scented cleansers, natural products and recently no gluten or lactose. As I say everyone is different and I am so sorry Amy and others are experiencing TSW.

I believe my son is suffering TSW, after been prescribed steroid creams from the age of 9 months to age 16, he was also prescribed protopic as well, which I also thinks adds to suffering.

Topical steroids withdrawal is very real and fairly common when coming off steroid creams. Best thing to do is go down the natural remedy route. Personally I found Ayurvedic treatments work best for me.

My sibling is suffering from a severe case of eczema that has covered his entire body, leading to immense physical discomfort and greatly impacting his mental health and overall well-being. We are feeling helpless and are reaching out for any help and advice that can alleviate his condition.

Dupixent changed my life with this.

Thank you This Morning for raising awareness of TSW. I'm 8 years in and still have flares. Steroid creams are not a long term solution for skin problems.

I dealt with this two years ago, worst thing that ever happened, I'm totally healed now. I used to put on topical mometasonefuroate on my lips every 3 days for 6 years straight, when I came of from it, it came with a severe vengeance of lips being swollen, kracking bleeding and shedding for 3 months, also got eczema on places I never had before never in my life ever again

Changing your diet and removing milk protein containing products is very helpful.

I suffered this for 3 and half years after total cessation of steroid creams , my god , living torture , my dermatology put me on dupilimab, saved my life literally 😢❤

Just read an article of a girl who suffered from Topical Steroid Withdrawal symptoms and got better after using the 'no moisture treatment': no use of a moisturiser, a few cool showers a week, moderate exercise, and reduced water intake Thank God, her skin started healing some weeks after.

I am now 2 years and 2 months with TSW. I am under the care of Dr. Rapaport and from reading all his work and studies, he has always said that eczema usually wears off at a certain point, but eczema does not burn and itch as bad as going through TSW. I'm in California and my general doctor and dermatologist does not want to recognize my condition. I've been through a whole lot and testings that they gave me and it was on my own when I found out that I was suffering with TSW. It's a serious condition and nothing can be done but hand holding and maybe a sleeping med and a medication for itch, but that's it. Just have to go through the motion.

This is recognized as a decease in Japan, UK and Australia, dermatalogist aren't speaking enough. Dr. Marvin Rappaport has been treating this desease for many many years and even he says that doctors in general don't treat it right or omit the root cause.

Working with private lab testing under the guidance and support of a naturopathic or functional medicine provider is KEY. Don't treat the symptoms - address the root cause.

I'm going through it now and it's very difficult

I have been incredibly irritated at the medical profession not acknowledging steroid withdrawal and there isn't enough research on it either. Its pathetic really meanwhile so many people suffer with it. Madness!!

What about gut health? Probiotics? Kefir ? Chuckling goat has amazing kefir. Start with a teaspoon a day only increase if you can tolerate. They do lotions as well and super sensitive skin balm which is amazing

Really feel for anyone who suffers from this, it’s a horrendous condition. I myself have had eczema on and off since a young age and have used ointments and creams too, not understanding that it’s a gut imbalance. I have found avoiding dairy, gluten and sugar has really helped my skin. I can’t recommend a good nutritionist enough to help with this. Agree with others here, functional medicine route is the way to go. Please do see a nutritionist or kinesiologist, it will really help you. I pray you will get better 😢

I've experienced something similar on my hands. I stopped the steroid cream and did my own research and bought a cream from Eucerin that actually helped. Steroid gave me a reaction and I'd still itch and have disturbed sleep, and swelling, cracked hands. Very sore and painful! Thank you for raising awareness. Steroids are not a long term solution

Also make sure to check if your intolerant to any food as that is a main cause. I had issues with severe excema Milk, Sugar and Yeast was the cause. In regards to Meds. Cyclospolorine is a good for for a couple of years. Dupixent injection might help but again look at what food you might be intolerant on

Homeopathy was the answer for me, please try it. I struggled for over 20 years. I tried creams, steroids, different foods, avoided foods etc and I tried homeopathy and it changed my life. It’s an alternative medicine and encourages the body to heal itself

I think they are not aware that it is even more dangerous. The don’t have a clue about the actual results of tsw. Most people find out and never go to a dermatologist in their life and don’t talk about it. They probably put that in the statistics as a persons that was cured.

Try taking mineral oil. My father had firery eczema and for about 3 straight years he lost so much weight... Was always freezing cold... Itching and flaking all over the place. Fortunately his face was about the only part that was not effected. He started taking mineral oil every day and his skin cleared right up. It took a couple months before the skin started to feel soft again.. But the extreme itching and pain noticeably diminished within a few days.

I used daktacort cream 2% from my doc for ringworm, got rid of the ringworm rash and now my tsw is worse red sare and oozing. Where ever I put the cream 😡

Used hydrocortizon for about a month - disaster my fore arms were "scared" from sunburn in S African beaches so used about 4 tubes of Hydrocortizon over a month, big mistake now after about a week without my skin is just getting back to normal thickness,

Hanna sillitoe Multi strain Biotic works well. You have to start with improving gut health. Its cleared my daughter's eczema.

Why has she not tried Dupixent?

AMY sweetheart. How about asking DR VIVEK JOSHI (with over 2Mil subscribers) whether his DIY Fermented Rice Water would help? 🤔🤔 He has JUST uploaded the most simple NO FUSS NO COOKING etc. recipe on his channel.

i sparingly use steroid cream. Diet plays a major roll. Cut the dairy maybe go on the carnivore diet, gut health is the key.

I'm wondering if something in the ingredients in these steroids changed in recent years. I used them off and on but never had these type of reactions until I was an adult. We know consistent steroid usage over long periods of time isn't good but these companies are cutting corners more and more for larger profit.

I had this then started using over the counter cera ve and never looked back. Wasted 3 years listening to doctors who gave me steroid cream that ruined my skin.

Zoe bee beauty. Can you help this lady? X

I wonder if red light therapy would help

Doctors should suggest more natural methods for slight eczema patches first before it gets worse. Such as applying a combination of oatmeal, eurucin, honey, aloe vera, and etc. Consuming magnesium, fish oil, and vitamin c supplements helps with the pain and bleeding/freezing. There should be more investigations into supplements/ natural topical appliants rather than steroids. Try all flowers/plant species and compare if needed. Rather than going straight for a steroid application.

l don't understand, the person has a chronic problem and has to stay without taking medication withot doing anything?

Could it be diet? Perhaps eliminate some foods? Go on a fast could help.

You have to withdraw from drinking and smoking and eat healthly it starts within.

😢

Blackcurrant seed oil helped my eczema a lot, nearly dissappeared.

I wish they'd say how much of it she used. Daily? You're supposed to go on and off of it and not use it to constantly use it to repair the skin

i have eczema and acne..

I mix glutamine powder with coconut milk or water and Chua seeds and I feel much better. Say no to prossess oils only olive and rapseed oil

Removing gluten from my diet is a life changer. Removing dairy and sugar will also help. Read up about the gut microbiome. I highly recommend Metagenics Vitamin D3 5000 to 10 000 international units per day is also a game changer. 10 000 international units use on a temporary basis

I wonder if a laser or a chemical would work?

The clues and answers lie with the patients. Doctors: please believe your patients!!!

Go with natural remedies

Doctors don’t like you questioning their diagnosis as they want to appear as the most intelligent when root cause analysis would be more beneficial. Way more needs to be done around stool sample analysis and gut health.

This doc is cool but he’s bugging. Look you don’t treat eczema with creams. You treat it with diet, fixing gut microbiome or avoiding allergens. Prior to the 60s they didn’t use cream.

I had worse eczema.

Not being funny but drinking more water and Hydromol cured my severe eczema. I stopped all steroid treatment and avoided my allergies.

Where are Ben and Cat ?

PLESE READ! I had this for 7 years. Now I have perfect skin, thank the Lord. My advice. 1. Get a blood allergy test. Find out what is causing your leaky gut to cause eczema. Avoid those foods that show up you are allergic to. Limit sugar and alcohol. 2. Stop the steroid cream, instead for your face, use a cotton round (never use a wash cloth) and put bioderma miceller water to cleanse the face. Then use the la Roche posay Tolerane sensitiv cream for moisturizer. On your body, use Vaseline Sensitive Skin Relief. Stay away from baths and stick to showers. That’s literally it, be consistent and you will see results.

Nutritional Therapist...

"Eczema warrior" 😅 these kind of stories wouldnt have been around if Phil and Holly was still here

get her on the carnivore diet see what happens

I dont have ezcema 😭😭😭 what i have now is topical steriod wiyhdrawl😭😭😭😭

I wonder if THC or CBDsa would help!?

You poor poor soul ❤️‍🩹. I am so sorry this happens to you. I also suffer with eczema and I find it so heavy on my life, I can only imagine how much it makes you suffer. I sincerely hope more funding and research is put towards eczema. It is not “just a skin condition”, it is life debilitating.

@lairribeiro