Mum hospitalised with agonising eczema finds ‘miracle’ cure using cannabis oil

A MUM whose eczema was so severe she was hospitalised in agonising pain claims she found a “miracle cure” using cannabis oil.

Cheryl Halliburton began suffering with eczema flare-ups on her face and neck after getting pregnant with her daughter, Alexis, four years ago.

The 27-year-old’s skin was often left red raw, cracked and weeping, leaving her so self-conscious she wouldn’t leave the house.

At her wit's end Cheryl decided to try CBD oil, a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis, and found it had a remarkable effect on her skin after inhaling the natural remedy through a vape pen.

Cheryl, a careworker from Elgin, Scotland, said: “It really began when I fell pregnant with Alexis when I was around 23 years old.

“It started on my back and cleared up after a course of steroids but straight away it flared up on my face and neck and has been constant ever since.

“It would flare up every couple of days depending on what I was eating and it would be an uncontrollable itch and no cream I put on it would soothe it, in fact, it would often make it worse.

“I would feel like I wanted to rip my skin off. I felt like I couldn't go on anymore as I was just not getting any answers from the doctors.

“On bad days I wasn't even able to take my daughter to nursery or would be unable to work or leave the house and a combination of antihistamine and painkillers would make me drowsy.”

Cheryl suffered with eczema as a child, but quickly grew out of it and believes that the hormone imbalance in her body from her pregnancy kicked started the sore and itchy skin condition again.

Struggling to find the ongoing cause of her eczema, Cheryl saw several GPs, where she was continuously given courses of steroids tablets, light treatment and blood tests.

She was left unable to wear make-up or go on nights out with friends because she feared eating the wrong thing, or drinking alcohol could cause her skin to react.

FIND OUT MORE What are eczema and dermatitis, what are the signs and causes and how can you treat the painful skin condition?

Then, in August 2 this year, Cheryl's flare-ups got out of control and she was rushed to Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin by her husband, Craig, 32, who told his wife he could no longer see her suffer.

“I couldn't move my face and neck and there were open wounds on my chest that were weeping,” Cheryl said.

“I was cold and shaky and felt like I wanted to be sick, and was placed on a drip overnight to treat the infection that had gotten into my skin.

“All my tests came back normal and doctors wanted to discharge me so I could be treated at home but I broke down to a nurse as I felt like I couldn't go on.

“It seemed there was never going to be an answer.”

When Cheryl's dad suggested that she tried CBD oil after researching the medicine she decided to trying vaping it to see if it helped.

Cheryl was stunned when her skin cleared up in just two weeks and she no longer suffered flare-ups.

“At first I tried the liquid form but found I hated the taste, but I discovered the vape shop was selling it when I walked past one day,” she said.

“I've not looked back since.  I've been able to go shopping with my little girl, even go back to work.

“Alexis has noticed the difference as she always had to stay in the house with me.

“I have been able to eat bread and other things I haven't eaten in a long time without flare-ups - and even had a glass of wine.”

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main ingredients in medical marijuana.

It is also used in cannabis oil to treat a range of issues including mental health, sleep problems, low appetite, epilepsy, Alzheimer's and palliative care.

CBD is also said to help prevent the signs of ageing and protect against eczema and psoriasis.

Last year the World Health Organisation declared CBD safe to use with no risk of addition.

According to the British Association of Dermatologists: "Complete emollient therapy is the mainstay of treatment for all patients with eczema - this means regular application of a moisturiser [also known as an emollient] and washing with a moisturiser instead of soap.

"These should be applied several times every day to help the outer layer of your skin function better as a barrier to your environment.

"The drier your skin, the more frequently you should apply a moisturiser. Many different ones are available, varying in their degree of greasiness, and it is important that you choose one you like to use.

"Moisturisers containing an antiseptic may be useful if repeated infections are a problem."