Chronic eczema / skin rash specialist

Our teenage boy has been suffering from bad skin rash for many years, since a toddler, and seen our family doctors over the years. Had a HK$500 allergy check some years ago and found nothing, and all he looks forward to are pills now and again to treat bad outbreaks.


Our usual doctor has shifted to very expensive chinese medicine 'solutions' for a range of problems and these are not covered by normal medical insurance. Talking about HK$6-700 a week for who knows how long to test such medicines. Yes, I am a little skeptical given the lack of guarantees, etc.


Can anyone recommend a doctor or specialist who really knows this topic? Any one with similar long lasting rash been helped by anyone? Local Chinese radio talks about such an expert in London! Surely someone in Hong Kong?


Thanks.

Richard

First of all, has your son been tested for Dermatitis Herpetiformis? You can do a search on this condition which is an allergic reaction of the skin to gluten. Unlike Celiac disease which affects you internally, DH only affects your skin by giving you itchy rash like symptoms.


Second, allergy tests now are done through a blood test, was that what your son had?


I have had a skin allergy since I was 20. I have not worn anything short for as long as I can remember. I get red itchy spots all over my legs and arms. I am now 35 and am only starting to heal. I've seen dozens of dermatologists through the years in California and then HK. My last dermatologist told me he'll just start making me take steroids internally in addition to the steroid creams and shots I already had which cost me a ton of money. The taking of steroids as a last resort really freaked me out, so I finally bit the bullet and went to a Homeopath/Naturopath. I did abit of research on this type of medicine and finally went to see one after a yoga teacher friend of mine recommended them as they resolved her husband's skin problem. I was very impressed with them and can actually see some results. I have to admit my husband is still very skeptical and is on the border of being upset because it is not fully covered by insurance. The first few visits were not cheap because I had to do a few tests to figure what "could" be wrong with me, but the costs after that were manageable.


You can PM me if you would like to know more of what I've been going through. Always want to help someone who is going through something I've been through for so many years as well!

Many thanks for feedback. I will check out the Dermatitis Herp... as suggested, as the only allergy tests done were not blood but using patches on skin. He got a clean bill for 20 or more typical problems like milk, nuts, etc., but forgot the details now. Test did not help at all really.


Interesting about the homeopath solution as this is something I am trying not to be too cynical about. I know there are lots of mumbo-jumbo solutions in the New Age area, and well documented cons, but does not apply to all of course, which is a shame. Quacks and con artists mess up the real helpers contribution.


Will check out blood testing again, as my cynicism got in the way of that one too! If there is a chance it will show something, I guess I had better help the lad and try. He goes to US boarding school in September so getting concerned for him.


Oddly enough, some years ago he went on a school camp and had two or three nights away from home - and came back with clear skin! Made us think our flat is too clean!! ie, we thought he needed more exposure to dirt to help him as reported by some doctors - so confusing! Haven't been able to replicate that one though, but maybe the cleaner US air will help.


Will drop you a line when we find out more on blood test. Thanks again.

Hi, try call Hydrohealth in Central and talk to Eve about it . They have a new system to test the allergy and it is not too expensive, it is around $1000 and you got all the results in 2 hrs. I did it a few mons ago and I think it's pretty accurate. Hope it helps!


Tel:25309999 Pls look for Eve.

Thanks bboy.

Will contact Eve as suggested and check out their new system. Worth a shot as other tests in past needed shipping of blood sample to US for testing. And they wanted US$1,000 or more. I assume you are talking HK$. :)

If you go for Chinese med, you may consider the clinic run by the School of Chinese Medicine of the University of Hong Kong. It's on the 7th floor of No. 9 Queen's Road Central. Booking Tel. 31693170. The docs there are professors and associate professors of the HKU. A colleague of mine had her eczema treated there recently and the result was good. I can ask her which professor she saw and pm you perhaps if you are interested.

Eczema is a difficult problem. I there a no quick fixes but I do want to comment on the allergy testing. I am a professional in the field.

Skin testing is still the "gold standard" even though there is a 10% false positive and a 10% false negative. You may want to consider re-testing because factors such as stress and the use of corticosteroids may affect it.


Blood testing is highly inacurrate. It shouls be consider in childern under age 6 since skin testing is inaccurate for that age group. Otherwise, it is done by GP and others who do not know how to do skin testing since is so much easier. It has definitely NOT replaced skin testing.


As for this other 1,000 system, never heard of it, and if it really works I am sure I would have. Sounds like a scam.

Thanks all for the above.

Still reviewing everything here, and interesting options popping up.

Talking of scams, that is exactly my opinion of our local doctor pushing his very expensive Chinese medicines cure. There may well be such cures as noted above, but not helped by all the mumbo-jumbo talk.

Richard