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@whatallergy

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Author Anaphylaxis: The Essential Guide, & The Shape of Skin eczema poems on Amazon. TSW Jan 2019. Eczema & Allergy Blogger. Patient Expert. Advocate.

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This is my topical steroid withdrawal journey. I’m now just over four years topical steroid and protopic free and I have completely changed how I care for my skin. Everything we are told about skincare was wrong for my skin. I don’t moisturise much now at all, which goes against guidance to smother on petroleum based emollients morning noon and night.
I’ve found my own way. Tried and discovered products that work for me, for trouble areas that need extra healing and soothing.
The friends I’ve made and the people I’ve met who supported me through this are what made it possible. Without them I would have been completely alone. The medical profession are not yet able to accept, diagnose and support people through topical steroid withdrawal. As a patient that’s very hard to face and accept.
And I will continue to write, advocate and raise awareness until things have changed and it’s easier for dermatologists to understand and people with eczema to avoid this chronic and debilitating condition.
Obviously I’d rather not have been through TSW but it’s taught me so much, about myself, my skin and how I want to live on this planet. I’ve reassessed literally everything.
Slowly I am learning what works for my skin and what doesn’t with kindness and compassion.
No more shame, guilt and judgement from my own negative thinking. I am brilliant, beautiful, perfect as I am and I am healing.
If you think your skin is addicted to topical steroids find out all you can from ITSAN, research and reach out, and know you are not alone. Worsening adult eczema with rebounding flares that require you to use ever stronger potency steroids is not normal and it is a sign of TSW. Choose natural skincare and choose to love your skin, not hate it.
Balmonds have been a constant support throughout TSW and I only wish I’d found them at age 8 and avoided all this. I know I will continue to use these products as my skin heals more and more.
@balmonds_skincare
#thisistsw #topicalsteroidwithdrawal #eczema #atopicdermatitis #tsw #naturalskincare #loveyourskin #skinpositivity #skinhealing by @whatallergy

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4 years ago

Say it isn’t true. That my life now. Always comes back to this.
Swelling
breaking
Oozing
Itching
Flaking
Back to this…

#eczemapoetry #skinpositivity #poetryheals #poetsofinstagram #theshapeofskin #lovepoetry #eczemapoems #skinpoems #skinpoetry #loveyourskin #poetrytherapy #authorsofinstagram #poetsofinstagram by @whatallergy

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4 years ago

On the left - Jan 2022
On the right - Jan 2023
Lighting not quite the same but it’s moving in the right direction.
1. What I notice most is the deep lines, creases and elephant skin has reduced a lot.
2. My eyes too, I couldn’t even open them fully back then.
3. And I remember the discomfort even trying to smile. It all cracked and split. Smiling is so vital to us as humans, when the act of smiling is taken from you that has a profound impact on mental health.
4. My collagen is returning! Slowly but surely.
5. The skin is also incredibly strong now and so versatile, it can go from inflamed to flaking off and back to normal- ish in hours! A Dead Sea salt bath is my absolute best bit of advice to anyone. Along with self care, rest and addressing your mental health.
I am right where I’m supposed to be 😀❤️‍🔥❤️‍🩹
Could it be the @puracollagen ? Am in month three using Pura Glow. Try with WHATALLERGY10 for 10% off
#topicalsteroidwithdrawal
#tsw #redskinsydrome #thisisnoteczema #tswwarriors #itchyskin #stopscratching #itsan #topicalsteroidaddiction #cutoutsteroids #giveupsteroids #stopusingsteroids #dangersofsteroiduse
#flakeoff
#tswflakes
#healmyskin
#eczema
#atopicdermatitis
#eczemarelief
#eczemahealing
#eczemaproblems
#eczemawarrior
#tswwarrior
#tswhealing by @whatallergy

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4 years ago

Help! ⁉️⁉️💄💋
Please share your makeup tips and suggestions? My makeup bag is woefully inadequate: I’ve just spent my whole life not wearing any, not caring or just feeling very irritated by most products. I am wearing some @natorigin eyeliner but what else is good for sensitive skin??
Help me out! 53 years old and no idea how to do my makeup or what to buy
#eczemamakeup #sensitiveskin #naturalmakeup by @whatallergy

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16 days ago

This one is from all of us. 🤍

The Skin Recovery Collection started with an idea from Dani Harmer, who wanted a collection of Obvs products for her friend with TSW.

Amy Wilson helped me think about what people living with TSW actually want and need.

Rebecca Ebbage shared her TSW experience, helped shape the collection and came up with the name Skin Recovery Collection.

Ruth Holroyd, author and blogger behind What Allergy, brought her experience of eczema, allergies and TSW to the conversation too.

And the important bit? They’re all Obvs customers. They’ve tried the products and helped me choose what went into this collection.

So this isn't a collection made for the TSW community without listening to them.

It’s been shaped by people living it. 🤍

A portion of profits from every collection sold will be donated to Eczema UK to support their work and TSW research.

Available now | £44.99 | Worth £57.97

Use TSW5 for £5 off until 30 September.

That makes it only £39.99 for a limited time.

Available while stocks last - obvs-skincare.co.uk

Tag someone with TSW who needs to see this.

#TSW #EczemaUK #TSWcommunity #DaniHarmer #skinrecoverycollection taken in Obvs Skincare by @whatallergy

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18 days ago

⚕️⚕️I have had exercise induced anaphylaxis before, just from walking 🤯 ⚕️⚕️🚑
This was a wheat related exercise induced reaction last year after I was given the WRONG dough balls!

So I’m really, really careful when I run. I never eat in the 2-3 hours before a run except 🍌
Running has taught me so much. I’m not fast, and I don’t run long distances, I don’t win races and I don’t have great form. Running taught me none of that matters.
You don’t have to be good at it. You don’t need fancy gear.
And you don’t need perfect skin and to be completely healed to give it a go.
It’s all about moving, whatever speed you can, and that is often a walking pace. Just put on your trainers and get out there.
It has brought me the best friends, having been a regular at local running clubs, and I’m still in touch with so many of the lovely people I met there.
For me it’s been a life saver.
I ran throughout TSW. This can feel life acid on eczema skin. Some days I 100% couldn’t even get up, but on the days when I could, I ran.
Whether it’s a slow mile round the block or a long trail run, I always feel better afterwards.
(Except the time I ran into a wheelie bin in the dark or the other time I thought a really nippy Amazon delivery man was going to throw me into the back of his van.)

It’s helped my skin to sweat again, not comfortable for many with eczema. I no longer need the ice packs after running but the fan 🪭 is my friend.
Learning now to just experience the feeling of sweat on my skin without panicking is still hard. It’s still a struggle inside that it will burn like acid. My body remembers. Over time as my skin became stronger I started to enjoy running again.

I always take my asthma inhaler and wear my @medicalertuk band and tag on my shoes. They help me feel safe in case I have a serious asthma or allergic reaction while out running.

Please comment below if you are an allergy or eczema runner and how you stay cool 😎 🏃‍♀️ and safe? ⚕️⚕️

Feat: @cooking_with_cory @etonfitness footage also from @tycyong
#eczemarunner #tsw #topicalsteroidwithdrawal #skinhealing by @whatallergy

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21 days ago

I wrote a whole caption, insta ditched it. No energy to write it all again, just know, what dermatologists and doctors say doesn’t have to be the only way. Everything I thought I knew has now changed.
I spot treat now - before I literally basted myself in paraffin
I use natural products @obvs_skincar @lyonsleaf @balmonds_skincare @westlabsalts
And most days I don’t think about my skin. It’s just there. I take it for granted and I am so grateful for this relief, this peace, this calm in my skin. It’s a miracle and it will never grow old. Sometimes little is more.
#eczemaskincare #naturalskincareroutine #topicalsteroidwithdrawal by @whatallergy

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22 days ago

Something’s been brewing behind the scenes… 👀

For Eczema Week, I’ve been working with Becca, Amy Wilson, Ruth and Dani Harmer on something very close to the eczema and TSW community.

It’s taken a few conversations, a few opinions and a lot of thought about what people actually want and need.

I’m not saying much yet…

Coming soon. 🤍

@missdanijharmer
@tsw_road_to_rec overy
@journey_of_amy
@whatallergy

#tswcommunity #SkinRecovery #eczemaweek taken in Obvs Skincare by @whatallergy

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25 days ago

🍪🍪🍪🍪Have you tried the new @creativenature Oat and chocolate chunk cookie? 🍪 🍪🍪🍪
They VERY kindly sent me one to try and it’s absolutely spot on.
It’s got that crunch you want from a biccie, huge chocolate bits, a really zingy flavour that almost gives me ginger but it hasn’t got any ginger in it. I wolfed mine down with my morning matcha latte (I sound so posh) and loved every crumb. It’s a pretty good dipper but don’t go in for any biscuit dipping competitions, it’s a dunk and bite - no longer than a quick dip! Honestly these are a win from me. As someone who can even mess up baking with mixes (🫣🫣🫣) having a ready made snack is the win.
They are free from the top 14 allergens but they do contain oats.
Love love love love them.
I have one left to have at @parkrunuk this morning. by @whatallergy

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a month ago

Why I love this new @medicalertuk band so much. I literally cannot lose it! I’ve lost one before because either the Velcro failed it it got undone and fell off without my realising. The cute design has a tapered edge to one end, meaning it can never slip off and get lost! Love it Medicalert. Keeping me safe every day AND keeping itself safe too from my clumsiness.
Get yours today if you don’t have one already, it’s one of my daily ‘safe enough’ rituals.

AD: gifted
Background: I wear a medicalert band or necklace every day because I am allergic to milk, nuts, wheat and soya. Not only does this help paramedics help me, and find my medical information, it gives me so much peace of mind.
#foodallergies #medicalband #anaphylaxis by @whatallergy

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a month ago

Collagen update! 💥💥‼️‼️
Will I keep taking it?
It’s all over the internet, almost a constant bombardment of celebrity endorsements.
So here’s my honest take:
❌ I won’t be continuing to take it
❌ It’s quite expensive
❌ I didn’t like it, the smell, the routine, the clumping.
❌ The constant celeb endorsements put me off. Do they carry on taking it? Does it really help them? How long do they take it for? I felt tricked!
❌ Feeling I have to take it prevent wrinkles, halt aging, plump my skin. Whatever. I don’t think I actually see any lasting benefit while taking it and feel exactly the same now I’ve stopped.

Full disclosure I was not gifted @elevatecollagenuk , I bought it from an advert on here.
There are so many other brands out there but right now I don’t have the money or the energy to explore this.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Should I keep taking it? Did it help my skin?
Do you take collagen?

Me? I’m growing to really love my wrinkles, the sun rays , the star bursts, the privilege of aging. Grow old disgraceful and throw out all the rules that confine us by unrealistic beauty standards.

#collagenupdate #elevatecollagen #topicalsteroidwithdrawal #tsw #collagenforskin by @whatallergy

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a month ago

What skin condition do you think I had?
❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓
Sharing this to help raise awareness of Topical Steroid Withdrawal. Using topical steroids on your our skin can cause a condition way worse than what your original skin complaint was.
Check out @itsan.nonprofit and @scratchthat.uk for more information and my blog at whatallergy.com/tsw for an FAQ. by @whatallergy

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a month ago