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\n By Farwah Sheikh, as told to Kara Mayer Robinson<\/i>
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About 10 years ago, I started to see some inflammation on my skin. It lasted a few weeks. I didn’t think it was a big deal at first.<\/p>\n
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But then I noticed that what I thought was a rash\u00a0would last for months. That\u2019s when I discovered I have atopic dermatitis (AD).<\/p>\n
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Now, years later, it’s something I\u2019m still learning\u00a0to live with. Whenever I try a treatment and it doesn\u2019t work, I get really frustrated, because not only did I waste money, but I wasted my time and hope.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019ve tried everything. I\u2019ve been prescribed multiple steroid creams, which\u00a0would work for a few weeks, but then I\u2019d become immune to them, and they\u2019d just stop working. All my doctors would do is raise the dosage or strength. Now, I\u2019ve stopped using topical creams. I don’t\u00a0find them effective enough long-term.<\/p>\n
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I tried getting an allergy test to figure out if it was something I was eating or wearing. I cut out dairy and gluten, which helped my AD but didn\u2019t completely get rid of it.<\/p>\n
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I also went down the holistic\u00a0route. I tried to use only natural ingredients. I tried sea buckthorn oil, turmeric, and black seed oil. I saw a functional holistic health doctor and then a medical doctor who specializes in nutrition. It also helped but didn’t\u00a0get rid of my symptoms 100%.<\/p>\n
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Everyone claims to have the solution, and you try it and end up back at square one. I get frustrated, because\u00a0you\u2019d think with all the advancements in medicine, there would be a solution.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n I would say out of all the treatments I\u2019ve tried, the most effective is diet. Whenever I eat well, I don\u2019t have flare-ups. I control what goes into me to help what’s happening outside of me.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Eating well may be different than you think. Even if I go dairy-free, go gluten-free, follow a paleo diet, and cut carbs, all in the name of getting rid of AD, the ingredients in the alternative products impact my skin. Many gluten-free things have preservatives. I\u2019ve found it actually causes more inflammation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The foods I eat aren\u2019t as heavily processed anymore. My motto is, if you can’t\u00a0read it, don’t eat it. It helps remind me that as good as healthy packaged products may look, they\u2019re not worth the itching and inflammation. I also remind myself that my skin is a mirror of what’s going on internally, so I try to really focus on my eating habits.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n I\u2019ve found that adding meditation to my daily routine helps me process my emotions and start feeling better. I meditate every morning for 10 to 20 minutes. Meditation has affected my mindset in such a positive way. I handle skin stressors better. I\u2019ve also found that using visualization and mantras has helped my body in a positive way.<\/p>\n
Meditation allows you to slow down and become present in the moment. It helps bring clarity and focus into your thoughts. Since I started meditating, I\u2019ve slowed down. I\u2019m better able to help myself by understanding what my body needs to thrive. I\u2019ve started to really tune in.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n I also work out at least 5 days a week\u00a0for 30 minutes. I love walking because it helps me get clarity and be present in the moment and prepare me for any flare-ups.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n It\u2019s key to keep a positive mindset. I try to think positively and stay hopeful that something will work.\u00a0Our thoughts become reality, and our mindset directly impacts our physical health.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n I do still flare up with the weather and processed foods. I\u2019ve found that extreme dry and cold air makes my skin super itchy. The heat also makes it worse. My skin gets red and itchy and very inflamed from high\u00a0temps.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n But I\u2019m learning to enjoy life. I try to keep a positive mindset, use meditation and mantras in my daily routine, and stay mindful of my diet. That\u2019s made all the difference.<\/p>\n
\n <\/section>\nHealthy Habits Help<\/h2>\n
\n <\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\nContinued<\/h4>\n
A Healthy Mindset, Too<\/h2>\n
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