Man who struggled with eczema on his face for years is treating the condition by drying out his skin

SAM November 06, 2019
jonathan rowe before and after beginning NMT no moisture therapy to heal his skin
Jonathan says his eczema has been drastically reduced by drying out his skin (Picture: MDWfeatures / Jonathan Rowe)

Jonathan Rowe, 32, spent over a decade struggling with severe eczema on his face and later the symptoms of topical steroid withdrawal.

Now he’s taking treatment into his own hands by depriving his body of moisture.

Jonathan developed eczema on his face when he was just 18, at which point his doctor gave him a steroid cream. This helped at first, but the painful, cracked skin returned soon after.

Each month he went back to his doctor as his eczema grew worse, and with each visit he was prescribed a stronger steroid cream.

By the time he was 24, Jonathan’s entire body was covered with eczema. Each time he stopped taking steroids, his eczema would come back worse.

Eventually he was put on cyclosporine, an oral immunosuppressant normally used for transplant patients. This made his eczema more manageable, but as long-term use poses the risk of developing cancer, he knew he couldn’t stay on the medication forever. After two years he stopped.

Jonathan pictured at the start of his withdrawal, after taking 13 years of medical advice and then choosing to go his own way to heal his skin without steroids. LONDON, UK: AFTER years of struggling with eczema and being given steroids which risked cancer, this man discovered TSW but was told by a consultant that it ?ISN?T REAL?, and he is treating his skin by depriving his body of ALL MOISTURE. Associate director for a bank, Jonathan Rowe (32) from London, UK, developed eczema on his face when he was 18 and his doctor gave him a steroid cream to treat the eczema, and although it seemed to fix the problem initially, the rash-like eczema returned soon after. Jonathan visited his doctor every month for his eczema, which was growing worse, and with each visit he was prescribed a stronger steroid cream. By the time he was 24, Jonathan?s skin was out of control as his whole body was covered with eczema and he was then prescribed prednisolone, an oral steroid to briefly clear his eczema. Whenever Jonathan stopped the steroids, his eczema would come back worse, so he was started on cyclosporine, an oral immunosuppressant normally used for transplant patients. Although it didn?t completely clear his eczema, it became more manageable, but Jonathan knew he couldn?t keep taking the medication forever so after two years he came off cyclosporine as he was warned that long term use could cause cancer. Jonathan decided to try Protopic as a last-ditch effort to heal his inflamed skin. The cream would burn his skin for 12 hours but then the area of eczema would be cleared for a short while, but it would always come back after a few days. Jonathan came to the realisation that his eczema was getting progressively worse and despite increasing the quantity of cream he applied, his skin was uncontrollable, so he knew he needed to find a better solution. In early 2018, while researching ways to stop using Protopic and topical steroids, Jonathan came across articles discussing topical ster
Jonathan after stopping the use of steroids (Picture: MDWfeatures / Jonathan Rowe)

His last-ditch effort was Protopic, a cream that burned his skin for 12 hours, cleared his eczema, but soon saw the return of symptoms.

He knew he needed to find a better solution.

In 2018 Jonathan came across articles discussing topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), and realised that was what he was suffering from. But when he told a dermatologist about his findings, they told him TSW doesn’t exist.

‘I was worried about the possible side effects of cyclosporine, and I had to have regular blood tests to check my liver and kidneys,’ said Jonathan. ‘I really thought a 24-year-old shouldn’t be having this to control their skin.

Jonathan's skin would bleed and flake constantly. LONDON, UK: AFTER years of struggling with eczema and being given steroids which risked cancer, this man discovered TSW but was told by a consultant that it ?ISN?T REAL?, and he is treating his skin by depriving his body of ALL MOISTURE. Associate director for a bank, Jonathan Rowe (32) from London, UK, developed eczema on his face when he was 18 and his doctor gave him a steroid cream to treat the eczema, and although it seemed to fix the problem initially, the rash-like eczema returned soon after. Jonathan visited his doctor every month for his eczema, which was growing worse, and with each visit he was prescribed a stronger steroid cream. By the time he was 24, Jonathan?s skin was out of control as his whole body was covered with eczema and he was then prescribed prednisolone, an oral steroid to briefly clear his eczema. Whenever Jonathan stopped the steroids, his eczema would come back worse, so he was started on cyclosporine, an oral immunosuppressant normally used for transplant patients. Although it didn?t completely clear his eczema, it became more manageable, but Jonathan knew he couldn?t keep taking the medication forever so after two years he came off cyclosporine as he was warned that long term use could cause cancer. Jonathan decided to try Protopic as a last-ditch effort to heal his inflamed skin. The cream would burn his skin for 12 hours but then the area of eczema would be cleared for a short while, but it would always come back after a few days. Jonathan came to the realisation that his eczema was getting progressively worse and despite increasing the quantity of cream he applied, his skin was uncontrollable, so he knew he needed to find a better solution. In early 2018, while researching ways to stop using Protopic and topical steroids, Jonathan came across articles discussing topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and soon realised that was what he was suffering from. He went to see a consultant dermato
He believes he suffered from topical steroid withdrawal (Picture:MDWfeatures / Jonathan Rowe)
Jonathan's arm was covered in topical steroid withdrawal. LONDON, UK: AFTER years of struggling with eczema and being given steroids which risked cancer, this man discovered TSW but was told by a consultant that it ?ISN?T REAL?, and he is treating his skin by depriving his body of ALL MOISTURE. Associate director for a bank, Jonathan Rowe (32) from London, UK, developed eczema on his face when he was 18 and his doctor gave him a steroid cream to treat the eczema, and although it seemed to fix the problem initially, the rash-like eczema returned soon after. Jonathan visited his doctor every month for his eczema, which was growing worse, and with each visit he was prescribed a stronger steroid cream. By the time he was 24, Jonathan?s skin was out of control as his whole body was covered with eczema and he was then prescribed prednisolone, an oral steroid to briefly clear his eczema. Whenever Jonathan stopped the steroids, his eczema would come back worse, so he was started on cyclosporine, an oral immunosuppressant normally used for transplant patients. Although it didn?t completely clear his eczema, it became more manageable, but Jonathan knew he couldn?t keep taking the medication forever so after two years he came off cyclosporine as he was warned that long term use could cause cancer. Jonathan decided to try Protopic as a last-ditch effort to heal his inflamed skin. The cream would burn his skin for 12 hours but then the area of eczema would be cleared for a short while, but it would always come back after a few days. Jonathan came to the realisation that his eczema was getting progressively worse and despite increasing the quantity of cream he applied, his skin was uncontrollable, so he knew he needed to find a better solution. In early 2018, while researching ways to stop using Protopic and topical steroids, Jonathan came across articles discussing topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and soon realised that was what he was suffering from. He went to see a consultant
Doctors do not accept that the condition is real (Picture: MDWfeatures / Jonathan Rowe)

‘I was the one who pushed to come off as I wasn’t comfortable taking it due to the possible side effects. I was told there was a risk of getting cancer from this medication.

‘When I came off, the dermatologist told me that he would let me manage my skin.

‘I realised that using the creams wasn’t a long-term solution, so I knew that something else had to be done. I was worried I would have to go back on cyclosporine, which had the cancer risk.

‘I realised I was addicted to steroids and Protopic and if I stopped using the creams then my skin would flare out of control.

‘The symptoms for TSW are flaking skin, fluid oozing from skin, blisters, swelling, irritated eyes, hair loss, trouble sleeping and appetite changes.

Jonathan saw healing about eight months into his TSW journey, and since starting NMT he has only got better. LONDON, UK: AFTER years of struggling with eczema and being given steroids which risked cancer, this man discovered TSW but was told by a consultant that it ?ISN?T REAL?, and he is treating his skin by depriving his body of ALL MOISTURE. Associate director for a bank, Jonathan Rowe (32) from London, UK, developed eczema on his face when he was 18 and his doctor gave him a steroid cream to treat the eczema, and although it seemed to fix the problem initially, the rash-like eczema returned soon after. Jonathan visited his doctor every month for his eczema, which was growing worse, and with each visit he was prescribed a stronger steroid cream. By the time he was 24, Jonathan?s skin was out of control as his whole body was covered with eczema and he was then prescribed prednisolone, an oral steroid to briefly clear his eczema. Whenever Jonathan stopped the steroids, his eczema would come back worse, so he was started on cyclosporine, an oral immunosuppressant normally used for transplant patients. Although it didn?t completely clear his eczema, it became more manageable, but Jonathan knew he couldn?t keep taking the medication forever so after two years he came off cyclosporine as he was warned that long term use could cause cancer. Jonathan decided to try Protopic as a last-ditch effort to heal his inflamed skin. The cream would burn his skin for 12 hours but then the area of eczema would be cleared for a short while, but it would always come back after a few days. Jonathan came to the realisation that his eczema was getting progressively worse and despite increasing the quantity of cream he applied, his skin was uncontrollable, so he knew he needed to find a better solution. In early 2018, while researching ways to stop using Protopic and topical steroids, Jonathan came across articles discussing topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and soon realised that was what
Jonathan says he began to heal after eight months of ditching steroids (Picture: MDWfeatures / Jonathan Rowe)
Jonathan's skin was flaky and bled frequently. LONDON, UK: AFTER years of struggling with eczema and being given steroids which risked cancer, this man discovered TSW but was told by a consultant that it ?ISN?T REAL?, and he is treating his skin by depriving his body of ALL MOISTURE. Associate director for a bank, Jonathan Rowe (32) from London, UK, developed eczema on his face when he was 18 and his doctor gave him a steroid cream to treat the eczema, and although it seemed to fix the problem initially, the rash-like eczema returned soon after. Jonathan visited his doctor every month for his eczema, which was growing worse, and with each visit he was prescribed a stronger steroid cream. By the time he was 24, Jonathan?s skin was out of control as his whole body was covered with eczema and he was then prescribed prednisolone, an oral steroid to briefly clear his eczema. Whenever Jonathan stopped the steroids, his eczema would come back worse, so he was started on cyclosporine, an oral immunosuppressant normally used for transplant patients. Although it didn?t completely clear his eczema, it became more manageable, but Jonathan knew he couldn?t keep taking the medication forever so after two years he came off cyclosporine as he was warned that long term use could cause cancer. Jonathan decided to try Protopic as a last-ditch effort to heal his inflamed skin. The cream would burn his skin for 12 hours but then the area of eczema would be cleared for a short while, but it would always come back after a few days. Jonathan came to the realisation that his eczema was getting progressively worse and despite increasing the quantity of cream he applied, his skin was uncontrollable, so he knew he needed to find a better solution. In early 2018, while researching ways to stop using Protopic and topical steroids, Jonathan came across articles discussing topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and soon realised that was what he was suffering from. He went to see a consultant dermatolog
He dealt with flaking and bleeding constantly (Picture: MDWfeatures / Jonathan Rowe)
Jonathan's skin has been healed drastically since starting the NMT method in January 2019. LONDON, UK: AFTER years of struggling with eczema and being given steroids which risked cancer, this man discovered TSW but was told by a consultant that it ?ISN?T REAL?, and he is treating his skin by depriving his body of ALL MOISTURE. Associate director for a bank, Jonathan Rowe (32) from London, UK, developed eczema on his face when he was 18 and his doctor gave him a steroid cream to treat the eczema, and although it seemed to fix the problem initially, the rash-like eczema returned soon after. Jonathan visited his doctor every month for his eczema, which was growing worse, and with each visit he was prescribed a stronger steroid cream. By the time he was 24, Jonathan?s skin was out of control as his whole body was covered with eczema and he was then prescribed prednisolone, an oral steroid to briefly clear his eczema. Whenever Jonathan stopped the steroids, his eczema would come back worse, so he was started on cyclosporine, an oral immunosuppressant normally used for transplant patients. Although it didn?t completely clear his eczema, it became more manageable, but Jonathan knew he couldn?t keep taking the medication forever so after two years he came off cyclosporine as he was warned that long term use could cause cancer. Jonathan decided to try Protopic as a last-ditch effort to heal his inflamed skin. The cream would burn his skin for 12 hours but then the area of eczema would be cleared for a short while, but it would always come back after a few days. Jonathan came to the realisation that his eczema was getting progressively worse and despite increasing the quantity of cream he applied, his skin was uncontrollable, so he knew he needed to find a better solution. In early 2018, while researching ways to stop using Protopic and topical steroids, Jonathan came across articles discussing topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and soon realised that was what he was suffering
Jonathan began NMT, no moisture therapy (Picture: MDWfeatures / Jonathan Rowe)

‘I visited a consultant dermatologist and they said topical steroid addiction was not a real thing and I should carry on with the steroids. I told him that I’d been researching TSW and I disagreed with him so I wouldn’t be following his treatment recommendation.

‘I just felt disappointed that he was so closed minded and he couldn’t even see it as a possibility.’

In January 2019 Jonathan began no moisture therapy in an attempt to dry out the skin and encourage it to make its own moisture again.

He says it’s been life-changing – but we’d strongly recommend anyone struggling with eczema talks to a dermatologist before trying it out for themselves.

Jonathan wants to share his story to show people that steroids aren’t their only option.

Jonathan pictured at three and a half months into NMT, noticing the difference in his skin. LONDON, UK: AFTER years of struggling with eczema and being given steroids which risked cancer, this man discovered TSW but was told by a consultant that it ?ISN?T REAL?, and he is treating his skin by depriving his body of ALL MOISTURE. Associate director for a bank, Jonathan Rowe (32) from London, UK, developed eczema on his face when he was 18 and his doctor gave him a steroid cream to treat the eczema, and although it seemed to fix the problem initially, the rash-like eczema returned soon after. Jonathan visited his doctor every month for his eczema, which was growing worse, and with each visit he was prescribed a stronger steroid cream. By the time he was 24, Jonathan?s skin was out of control as his whole body was covered with eczema and he was then prescribed prednisolone, an oral steroid to briefly clear his eczema. Whenever Jonathan stopped the steroids, his eczema would come back worse, so he was started on cyclosporine, an oral immunosuppressant normally used for transplant patients. Although it didn?t completely clear his eczema, it became more manageable, but Jonathan knew he couldn?t keep taking the medication forever so after two years he came off cyclosporine as he was warned that long term use could cause cancer. Jonathan decided to try Protopic as a last-ditch effort to heal his inflamed skin. The cream would burn his skin for 12 hours but then the area of eczema would be cleared for a short while, but it would always come back after a few days. Jonathan came to the realisation that his eczema was getting progressively worse and despite increasing the quantity of cream he applied, his skin was uncontrollable, so he knew he needed to find a better solution. In early 2018, while researching ways to stop using Protopic and topical steroids, Jonathan came across articles discussing topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and soon realised that was what he was suffering
Three and a half months into the treatment (Picture: MDWfeatures / Jonathan Rowe)
Jonathan's skin has been healed drastically since starting the NMT method in January 2019. LONDON, UK: AFTER years of struggling with eczema and being given steroids which risked cancer, this man discovered TSW but was told by a consultant that it ?ISN?T REAL?, and he is treating his skin by depriving his body of ALL MOISTURE. Associate director for a bank, Jonathan Rowe (32) from London, UK, developed eczema on his face when he was 18 and his doctor gave him a steroid cream to treat the eczema, and although it seemed to fix the problem initially, the rash-like eczema returned soon after. Jonathan visited his doctor every month for his eczema, which was growing worse, and with each visit he was prescribed a stronger steroid cream. By the time he was 24, Jonathan?s skin was out of control as his whole body was covered with eczema and he was then prescribed prednisolone, an oral steroid to briefly clear his eczema. Whenever Jonathan stopped the steroids, his eczema would come back worse, so he was started on cyclosporine, an oral immunosuppressant normally used for transplant patients. Although it didn?t completely clear his eczema, it became more manageable, but Jonathan knew he couldn?t keep taking the medication forever so after two years he came off cyclosporine as he was warned that long term use could cause cancer. Jonathan decided to try Protopic as a last-ditch effort to heal his inflamed skin. The cream would burn his skin for 12 hours but then the area of eczema would be cleared for a short while, but it would always come back after a few days. Jonathan came to the realisation that his eczema was getting progressively worse and despite increasing the quantity of cream he applied, his skin was uncontrollable, so he knew he needed to find a better solution. In early 2018, while researching ways to stop using Protopic and topical steroids, Jonathan came across articles discussing topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and soon realised that was what he was suffering
Jonathan has seen significant healing since starting NMT in January 2019 (Picture: MDWfeatures / Jonathan Rowe)

‘For eight months I saw little to no improvement and had all of the symptoms as mentioned above, until I found the research of a Japanese doctor called Dr Sato who has been treating TSW using his ground-breaking approach of NMT,’ he said.

‘I drink a maximum of one litre of water a day, no moisturiser, I limit showers to one per week for two minutes, no baths, no water after 7pm, and I eat more protein to counteract the loss of protein. Effectively, you’re treating TSW by completely drying out your skin.

‘I believe that topical steroids and Protopic cause the eczema and it’s totally preventable. When people go to the doctors with eczema, they shouldn’t be given topical steroids but try to understand what has caused it, such as diet, stress or environment.

‘My skin has never been better than it is now and it does not affect me in my daily life. I never apply anything to my skin anymore, especially not moisturiser. Prior to steroids being created in the fifties, very few adults had eczema but now millions have it.’

You can follow Jonathan’s skincare journey over on Instagram.

MORE: Autistic man unable to communicate about his distressing eczema finds relief in £4 moisturiser

MORE: Woman says ‘miracle’ £7.99 cream saves her from the pain of severe eczema



source https://metro.co.uk/2019/11/06/man-struggled-eczema-face-years-treating-condition-drying-skin-11049982/
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