It’s been five years since the birth of CureEczemaSlowly.com (CES) — with the mission set out to eliminate eczema for everyone in the world.
But is a mere website effective?
Does eczema have a cure?
Honestly… should I shut down the site?
Let’s see what we (readers and I) have collectively achieved in five years…
Contents
- Recent Tragedy (News)
- Does CES live up to its purpose?
- Eczema Solution (Simplified)
- 3 Inspirational Case Studies
- Common Eczema Questions
- How to Spot Poor Advice & Misconceptions
- Other Great Resources
- Mass Credits
- Upcoming Plans (2018-Onwards)
Recent Tragedy (News)
I want to first begin by clipping a shocking news article from last month.
Pang Ching-yu, a 23 year-old former nursing student out of lifelong suffering and pain with eczema decided to make use of Father’s Day to kill both her parents and finally commit suicide.
We know she was miserable and depressed from her online forum grievances. But of course, forums are only a temporary venting outlet.
Briefly, this incident dominated the everyday discussions in Hong Kong. After its timeliness, we carry on with life. As with cancer, robbery, etc, like any other news. Unless it’s personally relevant, nothing much changes. Everyone else keeps fighting the battle…
Does CES live up to its purpose?
CES was established for the reason above, to mobilize online platforms to spread awareness, share eczema management knowledge, and collaborate on helping each other.
Since 2013 July, I’ve created simple YouTube videos, Powerpoint decks, guest article contributions, and mostly long articles on the CES eczema blog.
Top three popular articles:
- Not All Fruits and Veggies Are Eczema-Friendly (The 4 Types) [152,000+ views]
- 3 Day Water Fasting Experiment [Journal] [72,000+ views]
- 11 Ways To Kill Eczema Itches [70,000+ views]
Top three most commented articles:
- Not All Fruits and Veggies Are Eczema-Friendly (The 4 Types) [97 comments]
- The Hardest Part of Eczema Recovery (I Failed Many Times) [50 comments]
- The Truth About Dieting For Eczema [64 comments]
The growth in readership since 2013:
From 0 to 0.8 million.
Takeaways?
- These indicators suggest people are genuinely interested on similar questions about eczema in these five years.
- Despite the infrequent posting in recent months, there is still consistent readership. Simply because the content is relevant. Also re the increase of eczema sufferers.
I suppose there is momentum, and a good foundation to seriously scale the CES mission. (More on this at end of article.)
Eczema Solution (Simplified)
Earlier this Monday, I gave a presentation on eczema elimination for around 15 executives at a local Rotary Club. It is an introduction but the solution deserves a recap here.
- Understand medical history and lifestyle habits
- Identify stage of eczema
- Assign stages of dietary restrictions
- Assign guidelines of SES-E
- Eliminate eczema slowly!
I believe the biggest challenge to eczema is not the lack of solution but difficulty of discipline and perseverance to keep going especially when nothing seems to work.
Outside of the physical recovery techniques — eczema is largely a mental game.
It consumes a lot of energy and willpower to follow a restrictive recovery program.
3 Inspirational Case Studies (More to Come!)
Putting theory to practice…
I highlight Skye, Craig and Sennett here because they went through the recovery process and found success. I don’t claim to be anyone’s sole source of information. Even when I went through recovery in 2013, I had to research from multiple sources for due diligence.
But there is something special and inspirational learning from other people. It shows that… it works and there is an abundance of hope for eczema patients!
Case Study 1: Skye
Had eczema for 10 years, chronic (face, back, arms, legs)
Initial restrictions (early to medium stage)
- Stopped rice (causing skin thickening)
- Stopped GMO food (e.g. wheat, corn, soy, veg oil)
- Stopped sensitive fruits and vegs: tomato, nightshades
- Added: Coconut oil, Vitamin D supplement, 2 kg ginger boiled water
After 2 years
- No longer super reactive to triggers
- “The reaction I get now is thickening of skin at my elbows or knees but none of the itchy sensation and it goes off after a few days.”
Currently: under control. She even published a video earlier this month detailing her journey of using functional medicine (by forerunner Dr Mark Hyman) as a healing direction. Her video gives off an abundance of hope and energy! Check it out!
Update: See her second video How to Treat Eczema using Paleo Diet.
Insight: “Paranoid” about restrictions, but now learned social aspect / cheat meals.
Case Study 2: Craig
Initial detox (few days): veggie+fruit juice detox
Restrictive period (30 days)
- No dairy, wheat, alcohol, caffeine
- No sugar/refined sugar/chemicals (used honey as sweetener)
- No meat (first 2 weeks), then gradually entered meat in small portions and only every few days
After 30 days: next 20 days slowly re-introducing things
Currently
“I lost all traces of eczema and it has never come back. I’m just returning to look at this again because my 3 year old daughter is flaring up.”
Insight: Be systematic in identifying the STAGE of eczema; be gradual and patient
Case Study 3: Sennett
Initially
- Used steroids for 7 years and “slowly killing myself”
- Stopped steroid creams
New dietary habits
- More fruits and vegetables
- Specific restrictions: no gluten, dairy, excessive sugar, preservatives
- Always check food labels
2 years later
“I am 95% better and with only the occasional small patch on the back of my left knee.”
Insight: Develop the habit of checking food labels before eating
(These successful examples are paraphrased from the public comments section on CES.)
Common Eczema Questions
If you study 100 resources (articles, blogs, videos) about eczema, certain discussions will reappear due to importance. This section is about giving the weight they deserve again:
FAQ #1 Does eczema have a cure?
If “cure” means elimination up to the point you do not have noticeable symptoms that affect your daily life, or decrease your quality of life. Yes, there is a cure.
But no, there is no absolute remission forever. Eczema patients are eczema-prone. Eczema is a lifestyle that comes under control via systematic lifelong management.
My eczema is 5-10% depending on diet, stress, sleep, etc. It’s about management.
FAQ #2 It’s so confusing… kimchi for probiotics but not nightshades, reduce sugar but bananas are healthy, etc, it doesn’t make sense? Why the conflicting advice?
Stop the confusion by learning 12 Annoying Eczema Contradictions That Seriously Need to Stop.
FAQ #3 How long does it take to eliminate eczema?
Find out more about stages of eczema.
FAQ #4 I understand dieting is a major component. But if not steroids and most commercial sensitive lotions for topical relief, then what can I use?
Are you aware of the 10 Natural Home Remedies for Eczema (Tested & Proven)?
FAQ #5 There’s plenty of information. I’ve implemented (from some to all) actions. But it’s just not working out for me. What am I supposed to do?
If you are doubting whether it works or not… go up and read the Case Studies again.
If you are finding it difficult or unsure in general… understand the biggest challenge to eczema is not the lack of solution but lack of discipline, guidance and commitment. Read How I Got Eczema Again and Cured It Again.
If you are stuck despite doing well… bottlenecks are quite challenging to solve, especially if you already follow a fairly healthy lifestyle (from diet to environmental). This group of people will need a very rigorous systematic analysis of their epigenetic factors (things that can affect their manifestation of eczema):
- Medical history: steroid use, length of steroid withdrawal, intensity of steroid use, previous infection-related incidents
- Diet: following through the rigorous stages of recovery? Adhering to dietary restrictions? Incorporating dietary frameworks of low-salicylate, histamine, FODMAPs?
- Stress: emotional, mental health? Personal temperament? Use of hormonal affecting drugs, like pills?
- Exercise: 2-4 times per week or aerobic or strength based exercise? Sweating enough?
- Sleep: sleeping at regular times? 7-9 hours per night? Use of stimulants?
- Environmental*: pollution? Household allergens like dust mites and pet hair? Fragrance use?
*Not about eco-friendly, but about your surroundings.
Yes, the list can go on. Eczema is quite complex. That’s why there is no singular research that can control all factors and prove eczema as reversible in a full-picture perspective. But does eczema have a cure? What do you think?
How to Spot Poor Advice & Misconceptions
I want to outline common observations online about eczema to avoid. Having been in the online landscape for 5 years… I can say a few things:
- There is no quick overnight 21/30 day fix for eczema… Fastest is probably 60 depending on your previous eczema history.
- Evaluate the motivation behind all content creators. Some are pure fearmongering marketers selling you eBooks and Courses as the only way out. How to tell between good and bad? Is their paid solution the ONLY solution? Do they have PERSONAL experience?
- The over-reliance on singular advice is bad. Try this cream, try coconut, try kombucha, try this diet, etc. Different people react differently. Sure one thing may work partially but… An effective eczema solution requires multiple changes not just a singular product/tip.
Other Great Resources
I recommend only things that are purely beneficial to eczema patients. In no particular order:
- Jennifer from The Eczema Company. Originated from her children with skin conditions, she now heads the company to sell useful products for other eczema sufferers in need. It’s the most comprehensive “shopping mall” for eczema.
- Andrea from ScratchMeNot. This is more for products dedicated to toddlers, with anti-scratch garments.
- Christina from Flawless Program. Real experience. Comprehensive and useful program.
- Abby from Prime Physique Nutrition. Real experience. Lots of content (interviews, podcasts, posts) and practical information.
- AtopicDermatitis.com. An emerging online space full of experts, patient advocates, and a good space for discussions with people who care about eczema.
- Rocyie, Founder of Project Naked. I recently came across Rocyie through Instagram. Although she is a psoriasis fighter, we can relate on so many levels. Moreover, reading her stories, her courage and honesty, genuine desire to help others, is truly inspirational. See for yourself!
Mass Credits
There are many people without which this website cannot grow, because this online space is as much the content as the readers who engage and have wonderful discussions.
I want to particularly show appreciation to readers from different times since 2013, for being part of the small CES community or at least having found (I hope) the content here useful in some degree. We’ve probably chatted on emails or through comments. There are many more so you know how you are if I’ve accidentally left you out! I’ve learned a lot learning from you all as well.
Jonathan, Emily C, Emily T, Mahdi, Zak, Fred, Mun Yee, Skye, Arai, Penelope, Craig, Josephine, Senette, Tommy, Celeste, Phil.
Thanks for sticking around!
Time flies!
Upcoming Plans (2018-Onwards)
Personal/Professional
I’m currently entering year four in university on the nutrition program. Also interning in a hospital. Later, I will undertake a licensed dietetics program in Australia. If all goes well, I will become a Registered Dietitian (RD) by end of 2022.
By then, I will be fully professional (qualifications matter)! Quite excited! A long-term goal of mine is to open up a health clinic in Hong Kong and help people who need the services for complex diseases like eczema. And use the extra funds for people who cannot afford it. Anyone want to open a health practice together?
Emails
It’s a pity I am always short on time to reply to emails. Time management is always on my platter in balancing studies, internship, and side projects. Sorry if I have missed your email. (I might not reply but I check email almost every day.) I try to cover the most relevant content on the website so it’s accessible when you need it most.
Future Direction: Content, Speaking, Public Engagement
For 2018 and onwards, I will focus on producing video content on YouTube and local public speaking engagements. My goal is scalability. To seriously maximize the spread of support globally.
NEW: Eczema Eradication Project
An upcoming exciting plan I have is to make the goal of eliminating eczema more tangible and impactful. Just running a blog and writing some articles isn’t enough. I’m in process of writing a manifesto outlining specific milestones to achieve.
The goal is to eliminate eczema for 1 million people globally before I turn 30 years old (i.e. 2026).
I’m not sure how it’ll exactly go about, but ideas including using a foundation model to seek corporate donations to run big public workshops/seminars.
If you have any suggestions on anything… article ideas, video topics, or anything I should invest time on in terms of helping eczema elimination… please let me know!
P.S. I’m always on the lookout for patient advocate stories, no matter which stage of eczema you are at. The courage to speak out will inspire many with hope to take more action! Please let me know if you wish to share your story, I’ll feature you on CES. (It is read by several thousands of people per week so you will for sure inspire!)