Others

Allergy Test

            As suggested by an allergist, I went to perform a blood serum allergy test to serve as a guide to identify the underlying triggering allergens to better control and manage any future flare-up. In an allergic condition, the immune system overreacts to allergen by producing an antibody called Immunoglobulin E. I obtained a shocking result of total IgE concentration of more than 5000 kU/L, many times higher than the limit of 85 kU/L reading. Specific IgE levels corresponding to the 3 stubborn dust mites D. Pteronyssinus, D. Farinae and B. Tropicalis were all over 100kU/L with a reference limit of 0.35kU/L. My IgE levels for milk, soya bean, peanut, wheat, chicken meat, fish, crab and shrimp were beyond the reference ranges as well. The high probability of my IgE-mediated allergy reaction is unbelievable and surprising me. Another blood serum IgE test I had showed a very different result. This test indicated a total IgE of more than 1000kU/L and negative results on crab, squid, shrimp and rye grass. Which one should I believe in? It looks unreliable to me as I did not experience any form of allergy when eating those suspected food in past history. 

       I would suggest preparing a record of food taken that might trigger allergy symptoms. At first, I start eliminating those forbidden food stated in my report and let any eczema symptoms clear. Then, I reintroduce the food one by one to see if any allergic symptoms appear. I have tried re-introducing all those forbidden food without any sign or symptoms of allergic condition or even eczema flare-up.

Sublingual Immunotherapy

            You might notice in my serum allergy test that the IgE concentration to dust mite allergen is very high. This is something that I think would be one of the causes my eczema persisted during my university study years in New Zealand with all my shredded peeled dead skin on my bed being the food source of house dust mites. Dust mites might not cause my eczema flare-up but it would irritate my skin and made the condition worse. House dust mites can be found in every home, no matter how clean, especially in mattresses and bedding. They thrive in warm, humid and dark conditions. They die when exposed to very hot or very cold conditions (eg. Hot machine washing and freezing). House dust mites feed on the dead skin flakes that we shed constantly. They do not bite or sting. The allergens are contained in their microscopic fecal droppings that so easily become airborne. When the allergens are inhaled or came into contact with the skin, asthma or eczema will be triggered. I have been advised to take comprehensive measures to help reduce exposure to them. Also, recommended by an allergist, I took a new 3-year long treatment to permanently eliminate dust mite allergy – Sublingual Immunotherapy. It involves putting a few drops of allergen extracts under my tongue and then swallowing the extracts. The allergen extracts will re-educate the immune system and increase tolerance to the allergen, hence decreasing allergic sensitivity.  

Traditional Chinese Herbs

Another approach that I tried to control my eczema is to consume traditional Chinese medicine. There are many types of Chinese herbs that are prepared to treat eczema in general. It does not treat atopic eczema directly; instead, it will help relieve any typical skin disorder. I had a type of herbal drink that contained Flos Lonicerae (金銀花) and chrysanthemum flower during recent flare-up and it did soothe my itching.