Wednesday, 9 April 2014

3 Months in...

We're now 3 months in and lots has happened. Towards the end of March Josh's skin really improved a lot, it was looking great, although he was still very itchy. Here are a few photos from then:-








Things were looking up until he started to get incredibly itchy around the last week of March into the beginning of April. He was waking up every 2 hours to scratch and he was home from school again. It was constant and we were really struggling. Nothing seemed to help him. Fanning his skin, cool packs, Dead Sea salt baths, nothing worked We stopped using oils on his skin (olive oil) and with all the stress we were just unable to keep up with the fermented foods and bone broth required by the gaps and we ran out of mineral water. Our diet has been mainly meat, vegetables, fruits and some occasional nuts. His skin has worsened during this time:-


His skin isn't as red as before and the oozing has reduced a lot.

Something happened a couple of days ago, though. He stopped patting (he usually pats, instead of scratches as he tries the limit the damage scratching can do). He slept through the night (yea, total miracle!) Daytime was uneventful. Last night he woke once for around 5-15 minutes to pat and then went back to sleep. Today has also been itch free. I'm not sure what's happened. Whether our prayers have been answered or whether it was something to do with the diet, the oils or just a lull in his healing. We are not sure yet. Even though his skin looks bad he's been content these past couple of days, perhaps the itch monster went away for Easter holidays??? Lets hope he doesn't come back!!

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10 comments:

  1. carolinlangdon.blogspot.com14 April 2014 at 04:25

    Thank goodness Josh has had a break with the itchiness, especially for his poor, little, sore face, it is so exhausting. Hope things have continued to improve on this front.
    Do you think the olive oil has helped? I know it helps some but for me it is an irritant unfortunately. How is it going with the GAPS diet

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  2. Unknown14 April 2014 at 06:23

    The first few photos above are when we were applying the olive oil - it did seem to improve the look of his skin, but Josh said it made him feel hot and itchy. The bottom photos are without the oil and although it looks worse he has been less itchy. Since we are not sure what has caused this reduction in itchiness we haven't reintroduced the bone broth or fermented foods in the GAPS diet but we are still following it as close as we can at the moment. We have read in places that bone broth and fermented foods increase histamine which can increase the itch with it. So our plan is to gradually reintroduce the foods to see if it has any affect. There are so many factors which could affect the itch so it will be difficult for us to tell, we will just have to play things by ear for the moment. How are you doing Caroline? I hope you are getting some relief too! Louise x

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  3. Gary Smith16 April 2014 at 15:29

    We're all rooting for you Josh!. Wishing you a speedy recovery towards healing.

    Your scratchy pal,

    Gary;)

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    1. Unknown20 April 2014 at 05:37

      Thanks Gary, Josh is chuffed you're following us (we all are!) - Thanks for your support xx Louise

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  4. carolinlangdon.blogspot.com16 April 2014 at 20:38

    Hi Louise,
    That's how olive oil effected me as well. I am glad to hear Josh has been feeling less itchy and he is lucky that you are all joining forces in the best way possible to get this sorted out now rather than later.
    I have also had some much needed relief over the last 3 weeks, slowly but steadily. I have been reading about some of the benefits of bone broth and am working myself up to giving it a go so I'll be interested to hear how you all go with it.
    Say hi to Josh from me and tell him I think he is amazing for doing such a great job in helping himself get better!!
    carolinexx

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    1. Unknown20 April 2014 at 05:39

      Thanks Caroline, let me know how that bone broth does. We are going to start back with it soon, and I will let you know how that goes. I'm glad you have had some relief, you certainly deserve it!!! xx Louise

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  5. Chi20 May 2014 at 22:35

    Josh is so brave!! hope he gets some relief soon!!

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    1. Unknown21 May 2014 at 06:45

      Thanks Chi, I'll tell him you said so, he'll be chuffed you stopped by :D
      Looks like you are going through it too, Chi - It's awful isn't it, I hope you too feel better soon. Louise x

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  6. Unknown23 April 2017 at 01:03

    Have you considered histamine intolerance? Red meat, olive oil and anything fermented would worsen the eczema if that were the trigger.

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  7. Unknown23 April 2017 at 01:04

    Have you considered histamine intolerance? Red meat, olive oil and anything fermented would worsen the eczema if that were the trigger.

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