When I was a small child I had severe eczema and allergy issues. The eczema was around my mouth, hands, and feet. Our allergy doctor at the time prescribed many different unsuccessful medical treatments, which included oatmeal baths, a skin allergy tests, steroids, avoidance of certain foods, and bleach baths. Finally, we found our own ways to manage my skin condition. I had breakouts throughout my younger years, but nothing horribly severe. Unfortunately, during my teenage

Ever since I was a baby I have struggled with severe eczema and allergy issues. I was three months old when my immune system issues started. From ages 3-5, I was enrolled in private school. The environment there did not help me whatsoever. I was on steroids, breathing treatments, and Benadryl to try and ease my overworked immune system. Now that I think about it, I do not remember much of my time in private school, only that I was miserable. When I was 6 my parents pulled me

In November of 2023, I was told I had severe gut dysbiosis, started a reset diet during the holiday season, and have continued it since then. As I am writing this, it is March 2026, and it’s been over two years on my restricted diet, during which I have seen significant improvement–whether that be skin-related, hormonal, and overall well-being. Still, I didn’t feel well. By this time, I had hoped my skin would be cleared up, and I would be reintroducing foods into my diet.

The Christmas before I completely cut out my food sensitivities was interesting. Before the blood work came back, the doctor recommended that I cut out gluten and dairy. Even without the results, she felt certain they were needing to be removed. A gluten and dairy free Christmas is sad. One food that came back as a sensitivity was cocoa. I ate chocolate frequently before I started my elimination diet. The week of Christmas I ate gluten and dairy free chocolate cookies. The