How It All Started: The Moment I Knew I Needed to Heal

Eczema Healing Journey: 40 Years of Skin & Stress

For over 40 years, eczema has been a constant companion in my life. I’m now 46, and my journey with this chronic skin condition has been long, painful, and deeply intertwined with my emotional and professional struggles.

🌱 Early Signs and Childhood Triggers

My eczema began in childhood, starting with small patches on my fingers. I quickly learned that certain foods—like mangoes and Kraft cheese—were major triggers. At 18, the flare-ups spread to my forehead, especially during stressful periods in university. It was uncomfortable, but still manageable.

💼 The Turning Point: Work, Debt, and Burnout

Everything changed when I entered the workforce. I had to repay family debts and student loans, so I pushed myself to the limit—working full-time, freelancing, and taking weekend jobs. It was 2003, the year SARS hit Hong Kong, and the job market was brutal. I had no choice but to keep going.

The exhaustion took a toll. My skin worsened dramatically—red, flaky patches appeared on my neck, chest, and forehead. I relied on steroid creams from dermatologists, which offered temporary relief. But once the medication ended, the flare-ups returned. The wounds healed, but the dryness and itchiness lingered.

🎨 Designer Life, No Balance

Two years later, I landed a new job as a designer. The workload was still intense, and I never felt rested. My skin became even more inflamed. I turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hoping for a breakthrough. After six months of herbal treatments, I lost some weight, but my eczema persisted. The doctor said I was overweight, but I didn’t feel much improvement.

🍵 A Glimmer of Hope: TCM That Worked

Then came a turning point. A colleague introduced me to a new TCM doctor. I asked him how long it would take to heal—three months? Six months? He didn’t give a timeline. But after just three days of taking his medicine, something changed. My constant thirst disappeared. I used to drink water endlessly and still feel hot and dehydrated. Within 1.5 months, my symptoms improved dramatically.

That experience taught me something powerful: if TCM is effective, you’ll feel it within days. If not, it’s time to adjust the treatment. The doctor also gave me a strict food list and warned against green bean desserts, saying they were too “cold” for my body type. He disliked Western medicine and believed patients should commit fully to TCM. He’s retired now, but I still remember his kindness—and his wife’s hopeful farewell: “I hope we don’t see you again.”

💔 Emotional Triggers and Relationship Pain

My eczema has always been tied to my emotional state. Relationship issues—breakups, betrayal, being ignored—built up over time and worsened my condition. After a painful breakup, I finally released years of suppressed emotions. That emotional release brought a noticeable shift in my body.

🩺 The Worst Flare-Up and a New Discovery

Two years later, things hit rock bottom. My skin flaked all over my body, and I felt weak and broken. I tried a new TCM doctor, but the medicine was too strong. My sweat smelled terrible, I couldn’t sleep, and my hands trembled. Every morning, my bed was covered in flakes. It was unbearable.

Eventually, I found another doctor who combined TCM with injections. That treatment gave me temporary relief—and a new realization: combining Eastern and Western medicine can work.

🧠 The Real Root: Mood and Pressure

I’ve come to understand that my skin condition is deeply connected to my mental health. Every time I changed jobs or faced pressure, my eczema flared up. Lack of rest, emotional stress, and poor work-life balance were the biggest triggers.

🛑 The Wake-Up Call

Two years ago, I hit a wall. My eczema was out of control—redness, flaking, and overwhelming stress. Then I was laid off. That moment broke me. Even my feet, which had never been affected before, started showing symptoms. I knew I had to stop. I needed to heal—not just my skin, but my entire life.

💬 Final Thoughts

This is just the beginning of my healing journey. I’m still learning how to manage stress, balance work and rest, and listen to my body. If you’re struggling with eczema or chronic illness, know that healing isn’t linear—and you’re not alone.

Let’s talk more tomorrow. For now, it’s time to rest