Aman
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Aman, aged 23, learned from experience that a disciplined daily moisturising routine helps manage eczema and its various triggers. He suggests going to a dermatologist, as GPs may not be as knowledgeable about all of the treatments available.
Aman is 23 years old and a management consultant. His ethnicity is British Indian.
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Aman was diagnosed with eczema at a very young age. As he got older, he learnt that a disciplined daily moisturising routine is key to managing eczema. Aman identified his triggers through experience as he was growing up, although he suggests that keeping a diary of your body’s reactions might be useful. Some of his triggers include stress, coffee, exercise, spicy food, alcohol, pollen, and dog hair. He finds the Indian classification of “hot and cold foods” helpful, since ‘hot’ foods like tomatoes and mangos tend to make his skin worse.
With regards to treatment, Aman has tried a variety of options. When he was younger, his parents took him to Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture, although Aman did not find these very effective. He has taken oral steroid tablets during big flare ups in the past, but his skin has been relatively stable for the past year with the consistent use of moisturisers and steroid creams. One trick that he uses is rotating moisturisers every few months to prevent the skin from getting used to the product and becoming less effective. Aman generally sticks to prescription products because these are cheaper through the NHS and contain less chemicals and fragrances which might aggravate his skin than shop-bought brands. Aman’s says that the GPs he has seen have often lacked knowledge about eczema. He recommends that people with eczema go to a dermatologist at least once a year because of their knowledge about the condition and the wide range of treatments available. He has seen both NHS and private dermatologists, with these appointments being helpful turning points. Aman suggests going to a private dermatologist if you are under time constraints (e.g. during a big flare up).
A big change for Aman in managing his eczema was moving from university to working life. During university, his eczema followed a “peaks and troughs” cycle whereby he would get flare ups in stressful periods, such as exam times. Maintaining a moisturising routine and a good diet became less of a priority in comparison to attending lectures, making friends, and having fun. Since starting fulltime work, Aman’s life became more regimented and consistent. This makes it much easier to maintain a daily moisturising routine and a healthy diet, and as a result, his eczema has stabilised. He sometimes wears a tighter layer under his work shirts to help lock in the moisturiser throughout the day. He also keeps a short beard because shaving his face irritates his skin. Aman recognises that having eczema can sometimes make people feel self-conscious and avoid certain social situations. However, he feels strongly that eczema “shouldn’t limit you” and he has learned to accept his eczema, becoming more confident as a result.
Seeing a dermatologist was a “turning point” in terms of information and treatment for Aman.
Seeing a dermatologist was a “turning point” in terms of information and treatment for Aman.
Aman doesn’t remember the details of eczema causes because he feels these make no difference to the day-to-day experience of living with the condition.
Aman doesn’t remember the details of eczema causes because he feels these make no difference to the day-to-day experience of living with the condition.
Probably on a number of occasions, -I’ve, I think I’ve forgotten everything. Simply because it, I don’t really care anymore. It’s just a-a habit and you know what you have to do to kind of keep it in check.
And, knowing the cause of it doesn't really make a big difference in my opinion in terms of whether, whether your daily treatment is going well or not. I think probably ruminating on that or thinking about it too much is probably not as good for you, kind of psychologically. You just kind of take every day as it comes, even as clichéd as that is. And you just, you just kind of get on with your life, really.
Seeing a dermatologist was a “turning point” in terms of information and treatment for Aman.
Seeing a dermatologist was a “turning point” in terms of information and treatment for Aman.
Aman says the doctors he saw whilst at university were more aware of the distress related to eczema than previous doctors.
Aman says the doctors he saw whilst at university were more aware of the distress related to eczema than previous doctors.
As I was growing up, not too much. In university and stuff like that, yes, a lot more, because you’re at a bit more of a fragile time I think. ‘Cos you, you move away from your parents and you don’t you have that, you don’t have that same support network that you would at home. So, they’ve only talked about the times where I’ve gone in at a flare up stage in the middle of exams thinking, oh god, you know, this is just the worst thing ever. And, yeah, having that kind of calming down moment where y’know, they say it’s not really the end of the world, even if you fail your exams, what was more important is, is your own health. And so that kind of puts it in perspective and I wouldn't necessarily say that doctors speak or think about that as much as they could do.
Aman rotates using different emollients to keep them working well for his skin.
Aman rotates using different emollients to keep them working well for his skin.
Aman tried acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as a child, but didn’t find them helpful in the long-run.
Aman tried acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as a child, but didn’t find them helpful in the long-run.
Aman talks about ideas on qualities of different foods and the impact it could have on eczema.
Aman talks about ideas on qualities of different foods and the impact it could have on eczema.
Skin conditions are a frequent topic of conversation for Aman and his family.
Skin conditions are a frequent topic of conversation for Aman and his family.
Aman says the doctors he saw whilst at university were more aware of the distress related to eczema than previous doctors.
Aman says the doctors he saw whilst at university were more aware of the distress related to eczema than previous doctors.
As I was growing up, not too much. In university and stuff like that, yes, a lot more, because you’re at a bit more of a fragile time I think. ‘Cos you, you move away from your parents and you don’t you have that, you don’t have that same support network that you would at home. So, they’ve only talked about the times where I’ve gone in at a flare up stage in the middle of exams thinking, oh god, you know, this is just the worst thing ever. And, yeah, having that kind of calming down moment where y’know, they say it’s not really the end of the world, even if you fail your exams, what was more important is, is your own health. And so that kind of puts it in perspective and I wouldn't necessarily say that doctors speak or think about that as much as they could do.
Aman finds he has more of a routine for looking after his eczema now he’s working.
Aman finds he has more of a routine for looking after his eczema now he’s working.
Aman thinks you have to be careful about what you believe online but that it can be a good source of emotional support.
Aman thinks you have to be careful about what you believe online but that it can be a good source of emotional support.
So you would post on some of the groups if you were having...
Yeah
…a bit of a low day?
Not regularly, I would say, if that, that would be like you know, kind of I’m surfing the internet and I’m feeling like my skin’s horrible and generally you’re kind of searching for different treatments or things like that. And you kind of get linked to something. So I’ve not been a regular poster or of anything like that. But I haven't really found any useful websites or communities where people are talking about it. There are a few I know out there. But as soon as your skin gets better, you inevitably just leave it, because you don’t think about it anymore. And it’s only at the times where you’re feeling bad about it that, that you go and check in and say, oh, well you know, this is what’s happening. And people generally are quite friendly and, and helpful.