My eczema journey has been a wild ride, and I’m excited to share it with you. Not just as a personal story but as a testament to the power of research and a holistic, science-driven approach. I remember the relentless itching, the super dry skin, and flaky patches that seemed to be my constant companions since high school. My forehead would shed skin, my fingers were cracked and painful, and even my scalp was a mess - so much so that it would leave white flakes everywhere. My laptop was constantly covered in dandruff (an embarrassing sight). My wife said it looked unprofessional and I had to do something about it. I said it's always been like that and there was nothing I could do about it.

When I finally visited a dermatologist, the diagnosis was almost too quick: in just a few seconds, I was told I had atopic dermatitis and handed a prescription for a steroid cream. Instead of rushing to fill that prescription, I decided to dig deeper. I tried over-the-counter moisturizers, and while they offered temporary relief, nothing really healed my skin or broke the cycle of itching and scratching.

At the time, I was a consultant at McKinsey, juggling a high-stress job with only a few hours of sleep a night. Add to that Covid and a newborn, and you have the perfect stress-storm. I thought I was invincible, but my skin was telling a different story. I was caught in a vicious loop: lack of sleep led to stress, which made my eczema worse, which in turn disrupted my sleep even more.

Then, a change of scenery brought unexpected benefits. Moving from Germany to Boston turned out to be a game-changer. The shift wasn’t just geographical, it also came with lifestyle adjustments that made a huge difference:

• More humid weather
• Regular workouts
• Better sleep
• Vitamin D and Omega-3 supplements
• Reduced stress and an overall healthier lifestyle

Each of these changes might have seemed subtle on its own, but together they allowed my skin to finally heal. I broke the itch-scratch cycle, and for over a year now, my hands and arms have remained itch-free - even surviving a tough Boston winter without any flare-ups. There’s the occasional itchy scalp, but overall, the improvement has been remarkable.

I’m not claiming that I’ve “cured” my eczema permanently. I know it can be unpredictable, and I’m prepared to act the moment it flares up again. When that day comes, I have a plan built on solid research:

• Stop the itch-scratch cycle in its track through effective medications
• Take better care of my skin barrier through the right moisturizers
• Prioritize proper sleep

I’ve invested a lot of time in understanding every facet of eczema; what causes it, the range of treatments available, and how to manage it holistically. I'm dedicated to helping other patients arrive at the place that I'm at today, but much faster!