My eczema flare-up diary documents the most challenging period of my experience, from August 2023 to May 2024. Skin outbreaks occurred daily, especially at night, making healing seem out of reach. Starting in June, I shifted my treatment to a government dermatology clinic and began cyclosporin A (Teva), 200mg per day. At first, this medication delivered real results: my flare-ups weren’t as severe, but my face still turned red. The side effects, however, began to accumulate.
Most notably, cyclosporin A affected my kidneys—I felt a distinct pain in my lower back right after starting treatment. Feeling cold and getting flu symptoms became common, as cyclosporin works by suppressing the immune system. Another concern was period irregularity, which became noticeable over the four months I continued with the drug. Ultimately, I stopped cyclosporin because even at the maximum dose I was allowed, the improvements plateaued and side effects became too strong.
On the positive side, my inflammation index (Eosinophil count) dropped dramatically from 10 to 0.9 during treatment. Research confirms that lower eosinophil counts are associated with less severe eczema and itching. Even so, my journey was far from over.
Throughout this process, I took skin-supporting supplements and tried alternative therapies. One notable attempt was a Chinese hospital therapy in Shenzhen, specializing in skin conditions. I received human histagionum injections at two sites and underwent whole-body UV therapy. Another treatment focused on cleansing the gut and spleen using amino peptide medications. The herbal bath therapy was the most pleasant—my skin felt smoother after each bath, and evidence supports Chinese herbal baths for relieving itch, inflammation, and supporting skin healing. However, the clinic environment left me uncomfortable, so I discontinued visits.
The herbal medicine and spleen therapy lasted only seven days, and while some herbal bath therapies may help with eczema, most studies recommend them as adjunct therapies rather than standalone solutions. Because eczema is a long-term, recurrent condition, dramatic change rarely occurs overnight.
From March 2025, flare-ups continued. In April, I finally took a new approach—focusing on supportive supplements and gentle exercise, rather than solely medications. Research suggests that supplements like Vitamin D, fish oil, zinc, and probiotics may help manage symptoms and lower inflammation.
If you’re experiencing similar struggles, remember:
- Cyclosporin A can reduce eczema severity, but monitor kidney function and be aware of immune suppression.
- Lowering eosinophil counts can indicate progress.
- Herbal baths may soothe skin and reduce itching, but should be used in addition to other treatments.
- Emotional wellbeing and lifestyle choices also play a major role in healing.
Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll share the supplements and gentle exercises that finally helped me improve.
Supporting Research Links:
- Cyclosporin A side effects and immune suppression: Eczema.org, Mayo Clinic, Singhealth.com.sg, Children’s Pittsburgh
- Eosinophil/inflammation index and eczema severity: PMC
- Chinese herbal baths for eczema: PMC
- Supplements for eczema management: National Eczema Association