Day 457 - Day 486: Month 16 Topical Steroid Withdrawal Redskin Syndrome

Well, month 16 was interesting.  I started using Eucerine Restoraderm on a regular basis, showers became quite enjoyable, and I visited Portland and loved it.  I still have crap skin on a regular cycle, but the crap is becoming less severe and the good is becoming more predictable and regular.  I feel like the restoraderm is helping heal the skin barrier.

SLEEP:  Sleep is better.  I slept brilliantly in Portland because I was on an air mattress and it was 50's at night.  I didn't sweat.  Now, at home in hot Texas on my pillow mattress I sweat and wake up itching.   On the whole, sleep is MUCH more consistent and regular.  I don't feel as exhausted all the time.

HIVES:  Hives are popping up as of the end of this month.  They are uniform bumps and are itchy initially and then just take a while to go away.  They are only on the still damaged skin.  The skin that's really red after the shower.  The skin that goes to hell when I flare.  I'm assuming this is a good sign...?

BURING/STINGING:  So, showers were moderately painful at the beginning of this month.  The water initially was fine and then once my pores opened up, it stung unless I used VERY warm water.  Then, once I got out, it stung for a good solid 15 minutes straight.   Once I started using the restoraderm, it got better.  The restoraderm STUNG when I used it for most of this month with decreasing intensity as the month went on.  It would sting when I rubbed it on and then as soon as I used the water it stopped.  Then using the lotion after caused the after sting time to shorten.  By the end of the month, the wash didn't burn and the after sting was minimal.  So, definite improvement.

SWEATING:  Dude.  COME ON.  Sweating still stings and burns and itches like hell.  The surface area is definitely smaller!  It's now only my neck, face, and a little on the shoulders... whereas before it was my whole body that was under a fire ant attack.  Living in the texas heat is hard.

CLOTHES:  I've started wearing...wait for it... SHORT SLEEVES AND TANK TOPS!  gasp.

Anyway... on with the pics.


Day 457








Day 458

TSHIRT!!!!

Day 460

First time in a tank top in a LONG time.  Went to the mall with my big girl!

Day 462

I ate cookies at the mall.  Gluten and dairy free... but a lot of them.  Paid for it.  













Day 463







Day 465

At the end of the day sometimes I have these flakes.  Super hot.

Day 466

No makeup... mild skin... Lips are meh.

Day 468

Legs have been painful.  Hurts to shave.

AFTER SHOWER

Few hours later.

Day 469
Ate gluten free pretzels on the plane and paid for it...






Day 470





Day 472

These kind of hives all the time.

Day 473

I ate an apple while shopping and the juice on my hand gave me hives.  And irritated my lips.

Day 474



Day 475





Day 476

Dryness subsided a bit but the hot redness comes and goes.

Day 477

Spent the whole day outside and in a tank top!  JOY!!

Day 482

My skin reacted crazy coming back home to the texas humidity, heat, and pollen...









Day 483



Day 484







Day 485



Day 486