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JOURNEY THROUGH TOPICALS
By Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ July 16, 2026
*Although we wrote this post together, we have chosen to present the following through Mom’s eyes.
Mom's Story: Journey through Topicals
As a woman in my sixties who has lived with eczema for most of my life, I’ve tried more prescription and over‑the‑counter creams than I can count. For years, I never thought much about them. A lotion was just a lotion, a cream was just a cream, and if a healthcare provider handed it to me, I assumed it was safe. It either helped or it didn’t—simple as that.
But lately, my perspective has shifted. With the knowledge I have now, I find myself questioning what I put on my skin. I’ve learned that even something as ordinary as a topical cream can carry serious adverse effects. That realization has changed the way I look at every bottle on my bathroom shelf. It’s made me more cautious about what I choose to use.
Learning with topicals
Skin Reaction
A few years ago, I had one of the worst eczema flare‑ups of my life. It dragged on for months, and none of the simple remedies I tried made a difference. Eventually, I went to a dermatologist for help.
She prescribed a topical corticosteroid and gave me instructions on how to use it. I followed them exactly.
Not long after, my skin began to burn—so severely that my hands looked as though they had been in a fire. It took months for them to stop hurting and even longer to completely heal.
Sometime later, my sister had her own eczema flare‑up. She saw a different dermatologist, but she was also prescribed a topical corticosteroid. She had almost the same reaction I did.
Both of us had used topical creams in the past without any issues.
After my sister’s reaction, I looked more closely at the prescription I had been given, I realized it was far stronger than anything I had used before.
Vision Reaction
A completely different reaction happened to my daughter, Nikki, from an over‑the‑counter eczema cream.
Because of her chemical sensitivities, she applied less than the recommended amount. At first, her eczema seemed to be responding well. But soon she noticed her vision becoming blurry.
Each time she applied the cream, her vision worsened. With no other changes in her routine, she stopped using it immediately. Once she did, her vision returned to normal.
Health Care Reaction
Topical creams are one of the most common treatments for eczema. But when you have chemical sensitivities, even standard treatments can become complicated. Unfortunately, many health care professionals do not acknowledge this.
My daughter, Nikki, had a severe flare‑up after her clothing was accidentally washed in a different detergent. Her eczema became uncontrollable, so she went to a dermatologist for help.
She explained her chemical sensitivities and her inability to use prescription corticosteroids. She tried to discuss alternative options, but the dermatologist listened with visible reluctance. She insisted there was only one thing Nikki could try—a prescription lotion containing only Vitamin D—and then abruptly left the room.
The lotion cost $90 and was filled with ingredients Nikki is sensitive to. It was completely unusable for her.
It’s not JUST a lotion or cream.
- Lotion or creams can have side effects or adverse reactions.
- Remember, everyone is different.
- Not every side effect or adverse that can happen to you is listed on a label.
- Learn to recognize your symptoms.
- Even though you have used a topical cream before, you still may have side effects in the future.
- Not everything sold in a pharmacy is FDA approved.
- Awareness is key to your wellness.
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Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story and Mom’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
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