I’ve been searching, studying, and writing about eczema ever since my diagnosis. My greatest resources have been not only the Resource articles on MyEczemaTeam but also YouTube and the rest of the World Wide Web.

Watching countless hours of videos not only helped educate me about this disease but also revealed how my fellow afflicted ones handle symptoms far more hideous than I’ve had to deal with (so far). I’ve become more aware of just how differently this condition manifests and progresses among people, with different circumstances and results. Some of us have been dealing with it for most of their lives, while others, like myself, are new to the affliction. All of us seem to be asking the same question: “Why is this happening?”

My Latest Unfavorite Word

I’ve been trying my hardest to find someone out there who knows why some of us have such different degrees of suffering from these hideous symptoms. And now I’m having to deal with changes while I go back to work in an office. After three years of working from home, it’s not an easy thing to do.

Soon after returning from a recent vacation in Europe, I not only started a new job but also got a new symptom on the back of my legs, prompting my latest unfavorite word: “ooze.” I’ve posted a photo — I know, yuck. Any suggestions about dealing with office life during a gooey flare are more than welcome. Yes, lots of fans around the desk already help.

Eczema Education as a Second Job

Meanwhile, I’ve continued with what’s practically a second job. I’ve been studying everything I can about modern dermatology, eczema, and topical steroid withdrawal, and I’m almost convinced that all the hydrocortisone cream I used on the psoriasis I had as a teenager (and returned when I started medication for high blood pressure) has now possibly caused the eczema. The psoriasis has pretty much gone away since the eczema started, but what if it’s something else? What if something in my gut is causing all this skin misery?

I’ve watched videos of people who’ve had wonderful results treating what is known as their “leaky gut,” and their flares have gone into remission or practically disappeared. I’ve learned about certain doctors who’ve successfully treated eczema through the gut microbiome by returning people to the proper balance of the millions of microbes and bacteria that keep our incredible bodies alive.

But after watching and studying so much information, it’s very difficult to decide which approach to take. The difference of medical efficacy among individuals boggles the mind.

A Promising Lead

Then I stumbled across a video featuring a naturopathic doctor — a type of doctor that specializes in natural, holistic, noninvasive remedies — who has made more sense of this affliction than I’ve heard from anyone else so far. Many other doctors are blazing their own trails through the darkness with their hard work and diligence, but they don’t have an office right down the road from me. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to find a source of intelligent help so close.

Unfortunately, this doctor is at capacity and isn’t accepting new patients at this time, but I’ll keep trying to get an appointment — or at least an interview — to find out more about what I think could be a real breakthrough as far as my eczema treatment is concerned. We already know that eczema is an autoimmune disorder, so it only makes sense that it would take a method to heal and balance the whole body to fix it, since our immune systems cover our entire bodies, right?

So, while I continue to deal with new eczema symptoms at a new workplace (and other public places), I’ll also keep toiling to find out the reason for my affliction. There might be a light at the end of this tunnel, but I sure hope it’s not a flare!

On MyEczemaTeam, members discuss eczema from a specific point of view. Would you like to share your personal story to help others living with eczema? You can learn more about this paid writing opportunity from MyEczemaTeam here.

Members’ articles don’t reflect the opinions of MyEczemaTeam staff, medical experts, partners, advertisers, or sponsors. Content on MyEczemaTeam isn’t intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.