For Stephanie, her husband, and their six-year-old daughter, the year 2013 started off with a joyful beginning. Stephanie was pregnant with a healthy newborn baby boy.
But when he was three months old, baby Isaiah developed a red rash on his cheeks. Stephanie took him to the pediatrician, who told her he had contact dermatitis. She immediately went home and changed out all the shampoos, lotions, deodorants, and got rid of any household products and chemicals with scents and/or potential allergenic ingredients. But Isaiah’s skin infections remained as he began to blister and crack. The doctors diagnosed it as a case of severe eczema. Isaiah was prescribed cortisone creams, or steroids intended to treat the eczema. But things only got worse.
Little did Stephanie and her husband know, the medicines they were using were ravaging their baby from the inside-out. Their lives were consumed by Isaiah’s health. His misery was their misery. His constant state of pain and discomfort was their own. Isaiah cried day and night, and it seemed there was nothing they could do to help him. “We ended up not having company altogether and even withdrew from friends and family, feeling we really had no choice. A lot of people in our lives recommended we find a new pediatrician, get a second opinion, use more potent meds/steroids… Life was lonely and hopeless,” Stephanie writes on her blog.
But over time, Stephanie began following her motherly instincts more than ever, which led her to a realization that changed everything. And it’s something everyone should see!
Follow Isaiah’s stunning transformation below….
Stephanie ushered in 2013 with a newborn baby boy. Isaiah was healthy, happy, and loved immensely by his mom, dad, and big sister.
At three months old, Stephanie noticed a rash on Isaiah’s cheek. The doctor deemed it contact dermatitis, so Mom went home and got rid of any products, chemicals, and perfumes that could be harmful.
Still, Isaiah’s skin was so sensitive that he would break out in rashes around other people.
An allergist diagnosed Isaiah with eczema, and prescribed antibiotics and a low-dose steroid cream.
But his skin only got worse. Isaiah was rushed to the ER. Doctors prescribed him more steroids and anti-fungal, but the nightmare continued.
Isaiah was so miserable that Stephanie would sleep with him every night in a recliner.
As Stephanie searched for answers, Isaiah lost his hair and was extremely lethargic. He ended up in the hospital again, only to be prescribed more steroids.
His skin was red and raw from head to toe.
Isaiah’s parents would wrap his hands in gauze to prevent him from scratching himself. Since water was one of the only things that could soothe him, she’d wrap his body in wet towels and place him under cool, running water.
This became an every day routine.
Isaiah’s skin would clear, but only for a short time. He lost weight, he was dehydrated, he smelled of metal, and he was placed on more doses of steroids. Isaiah would scream for days on end.
It was a never-ending cycle.
Stephanie and her family lived in a perpetual state of fear, frustration, and pain. But she persevered,and found her strength and determination in God.
Then one day, their prayers were finally answered.
Stephanie and her husband would spend hours online, independently reading up on and researching steroid creams. They stumbled across a non-profit site called ITSAN (International Topical Steroid Addiction Network) that mentions “Red Skin Syndrome” (RSS) and the harmful side-effects of steroid creams that cause severe eczema.
Shockingly, the symptoms perfectly matched Isaiah’s.
Stephanie and her husband realized that the steroid creams were actually fueling the horrible cycle of rashes, breakouts, and worsening symptoms.
All the while, the doctors never once connected the medication to the problem at hand.
Stephanie found it absolutely impossible to convince doctors not to use steroids. She felt they thought she was crazy — but her intuition kept telling her to take Isaiah off steroids completely.
Thankfully, Isaiah’s pediatrician finally listened to her pleas. Isaiah was given intravenous nutrients and began to smile again…
10 months after Stephanie decided to take him off steroid treatment, despite the doctors’ recommendations, Isaiah’s health began to improve. His skin got better and he gained weight. However, the medical professionals continued to push steroid treatment.
“I think people finally realized how serious we were about not using them, everyone seemed to back off as his health was improving so much,” Stephanie says.
As Stephanie and her husband transitioned to a more normal life with their children, they hope their story will raise awareness.
She not only wants to instill healing in others, but she also wants the medical community to understand there are people with devastating allergies to steroids.
Baby Isaiah’s story, and his family’s faith and determination, could help another family in search of answers. Please SHARE it with your friends on Facebook, and help spread the message about the potential dangers of steroid creams.
