Welcome to the ZEMA & SIS Blog!
Are you living with eczema, psoriasis, sensitive skin, health conscious or simply want to care for our environment?
Hello to all you warriors out there and thanks for taking the time to have a little read and join me on this journey. Where do I even begin?
Firstly, I would love to introduce you to Zema & Sis and the little story behind it. My journey has been a lucky one but not without its challenges. I was diagnosed with Psoriasis at age 7 and since then I have surfed the waves, one day to the next. Remission was mostly in my favour until travelling in 2013 (Go figure) Between the change in climates, food, routines and exposures it has been cat and mouse journey and a lot of adapting to new ways and my body’s responses.
Diagnosed with Psoriasis
Growing up on the West Coast of Ireland was the best, coming from the countryside and living a farm life was even better. So, you can only imagine the devastation, to be told at age 7 to keep away from animals, various plant life and everything else that offered some level of joy, in fear that it may be a trigger. This was told to a child that would get lost for hours sitting in a chicken coop, hiding in the dog kennel or playing five paddocks up sitting on a cow, only wishing it was a horse. FYI, I never got a horse! My dad said they ate too much but hey every little girl has a dream. Dad if you’re reading this, I would still love that horse!
Receiving a diagnosis for Psoriasis was devastating; lifelong with no cure and the best advice and support available was, here’s some steroids and just deal with it. Early years weren’t too bad, having a young and healthy (ish) immune system, I could keep things at bay with Polytar baths (This became my daily after school routine)
My mum was bewildered when conversations around causes led to "hereditary" or "as a result of trauma". Theres no family history, so what was the trauma? We only spoke of this in later years when I happened across an article a doctor in Melbourne had published connecting Psoriasis with Tonsilitis (Trauma to the body) You’ll never guess who had their tonsils removed and at what age? It saddens me to read how many people have suffered this lifelong diagnosis following a simple case of strep throat.
By secondary school, aged 17 and preparing for the Leaving Certificate exam, I went full flare. Thankfully, I had an absolute legend of an Art teacher who put me onto “Udo’s Choice, Omega 3”. I will honestly never forget the day; I walked out in the middle of an art class after being chosen to perform on stage knowing that I would never even consider stripping down to that costume. With strong intuition, my teacher followed me and noted her concern that my reaction was out of character. Not only did I explain my dilemma, but I showed her, without missing a beat she causally said, “that will be gone in two weeks on Udo’s choice”. To this day, I still don’t know if it was the placebo effect or what, but true to her word, I made it out on stage. Ms McCaffery, I thank you; you are a legend!
Fast forward to age 27, I moved to Perth Australia and yes you guessed it! Within no time, I was full flare again. I was starting to believe that this was a ten yearly attack but this time it proved more challenging, nothing was working!! Trying to keep stress levels down whilst stressing about not stressing was becoming unbearably stressful. Anyone that knows, knows
Living the Aussie dream in Western Australia but without the freedom to throw on that bikini and head down to the beach was torture. Instead of the weather dictating what I wore, my skin did. I was captive to lengthy skincare routines, steroids and feeling like I was in a trial that was going nowhere.
What did I do next??
Having spent thousands of dollars on specialists, averaging $10k per year, what did I do about it? Amazingly so, having had allergy testing in Ireland and then in Perth, results aligned and then I was introduced to Ayurveda and to my astonishment results came back the same (although a smaller list) There must be something in this? Having complied a list of my medicine foods, neutrals and poisons I started a two-week cleanse. I could eat what I wanted as long as it was in the medicine or neutral category. I’m happy to say, I can live without cabbage, oranges and aubergine etc. Honestly, some foods are a little more challenging but it has been so much easier than following various fad diets that are not tailored to me.
So began my journey to follow and listen to what my body was asking from me! After detoxing from unhelpful foods, I began to detox from exposures to chemicals and toxins that had become part of my daily living and routine. I had become so focused on finding quick solutions and cures, that I had forgotten the basics. Adequate sleep, nutrition, hydration, exercise, stress reduction, promoting endorphins and personal growth.
Have I cracked that code??? Absolutely not!!
Do I believe that there are ways we can manage and promote remission 100% YES!
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