Have you ever found short-term relief from a medication, only for your symptoms to come roaring back once you stopped?
Or maybe you’ve been on a powerful drug for eczema or psoriasis, but started noticing side effects you didn’t expect—like fatigue, headaches, or gut issues?
We see this all the time at our Sydney clinic. Patients come in after years of trying everything—from steroid creams to biologics—asking the same thing:
“Why does nothing seem to truly work?”
Let’s talk about it.
Modern Medical Treatments: What They Offer
Dermatologists and GPs often begin with pharmaceutical treatments to manage eczema and psoriasis flares. These include:
- Topical steroids – Fast relief, but long-term use can lead to skin thinning or TSW
- Calcineurin inhibitors (like tacrolimus) – A non-steroid option, but still suppresses immune response
- Phototherapy (UV light therapy) – Slows down inflammation, though not easily accessible for all
- Oral immunosuppressants (e.g. methotrexate, cyclosporine) – Reduce inflammation by lowering immune activity across the body
- Biologics (e.g. Dupixent, IL-17 blockers) – Target specific immune signals, often used in severe eczema or psoriasis
- JAK Inhibitors (e.g. Rinvoq, Cibinqo) – Newer medications that reduce inflammation by disrupting immune messaging
But Here’s What We Don’t Talk About Enough…
Most of these treatments come with side effects—some mild, some serious.
And more importantly? None of them address the root cause.
We’ve supported patients who developed:
- Debilitating fatigue
- Mood changes and anxiety
- Liver or gut imbalances
- Immune suppression and recurrent infections
- Worsened flares after stopping treatment
And almost all of them eventually ask:
“Why do my symptoms return as soon as I stop the medication?”
Because while modern treatments suppress inflammation, they rarely ask why that inflammation is happening in the first place.
The Root Cause Is Often Hidden Deeper
At our clinic, we see eczema and psoriasis as whole-body conditions—not just skin-deep.
Flares often begin in the gut, the immune system, or the nervous system long before they show up on the skin.
We often find:
- Poor digestion and gut lining damage
- Long-term stress or nervous system dysregulation
- Toxic build-up or sluggish liver function
- Hormonal imbalances or hidden food sensitivities
- Lingering infections or antibiotic after-effects
Pharmaceutical drugs suppress the symptom.
But our job is to help uncover and treat the reason why that symptom appeared in the first place from an integrative perspective.
When Do Medications Have a Place?
We’re not anti-medication.
Sometimes, the skin is so inflamed, painful, or life-disrupting that medications are needed to bring relief quickly.
- You may be planning a wedding, travelling, or starting a new job—and you just need to function.
- Or maybe you’re coming off years of steroid use, and need a short-term bridge to reduce flaring.
In these cases, we work with patients who choose to use medication strategically—with the goal of supporting their body holistically alongside it.
That might include:
- Protecting gut and liver function during treatment
- Managing detox and side effects
- Reducing dependency and weaning off safely
- Supporting skin to stabilise and maintain improvements naturally
An Integrative Approach: Supporting Long-Term Healing
Here’s what a typical healing plan looks like in our clinic:
Chinese herbal medicine
To reduce internal inflammation, balance the immune system, and support gut-skin detox pathways
Acupuncture
To calm the nervous system, reduce stress flares, and restore internal circulation
Diet & lifestyle
No extreme restrictions—just supportive, whole-body nourishment based on your unique body type
Skincare & topical support
We help guide you toward gentle, non-reactive products that won’t trigger rebound effects
We’ve seen time and again that when the internal terrain improves, the skin naturally follows.
Why We See So Many Relapses After Stopping Medication
The reason symptoms often return—or even worsen—after stopping a medication is simple:
The root cause was never resolved.
The fire was temporarily covered.
But the fuel was still there—smouldering beneath the surface.
You Deserve More Than Symptom Management
If you’ve been told your condition is “lifelong” or “unpredictable,” we want you to know:
There is another path.
It takes time and commitment.
It doesn’t offer an overnight fix.
But it does aim to heal, not just suppress.
We support your body to do what it’s designed to do: heal itself.
Final Thoughts: Choose Wisely, Support Fully
Modern medicine isn’t the enemy. But it also isn’t the whole answer.
If you’ve relied on medications for a long time and still feel unwell… you’re not alone.
Whether you’re currently on steroids, biologics, or considering a more natural path—we’re here to listen, support, and walk with you at your own pace.
Ready to take a more root-cause approach to your skin health?
Book a consultation to explore how integrative care can help you reduce symptoms—and stay well long-term.
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