A NEW mum, who refused to leave the house because her skin was “so bad” has found a life-changing cure.
Alexandra Maguire, 29, had always had sensitive skin, but it was an an allergic reaction to hair dye which sent her down a dark path.
After going cold turkey on the steroid cream, Alexandra’s face swelled and went redPA Real Life
Alexandra now swears by the cream, using it twice a day as part of her skincare routinePA Real Life
“I was so low when my skin was at its worst and I was at a point where I didn’t think anything would work and I would be stuck like that forever,” the office supervisor from Manchester said.
In September 2021, Alexandra went to see her GP for advice on what to do after suffering from a reaction to hair dye.
Medics prescribed her steroids for five weeks, from which she saw no improvement.
After going cold turkey on the steroid cream, Alexandra’s face swelled.
“My skin went bright red, and it was so dry that it began to flake,” she said.
“It was itchy, sore, and I had cracked, bleeding skin,” she added.
Embarrassed, Alexandra began to avoid leaving the house as she feared people would look at her.
She also could not face going to work and went on sick leave as her skin condition grew worse.
“Dropping my daughter off at nursery every day became a nightmare and I’d have panic attacks because I didn’t want anyone to look at me.
“I wouldn’t go to any family events and it really affected my work too,” she said.
After scouring the internet for answers, Alexandra realised she was suffering from topical steroid withdrawal (TSW).
TSW is a reaction that can occur after prolonged steroid use.
Sufferers can experience symptoms including redness of the skin which can extend beyond the initial area treated, a burning or stinging sensation, intense itching, peeling of the skin, and oozing open sores.
Alexandra said: “I just got into a horrible state of mind.
“I tried going private and spent over £1,000 on appointments and a further £700 on allergy testing, which is how I discovered that I’m allergic to hair dye.
“But it still didn’t solve the problem with my skin.”
In March 2023, the mum found Balmonds skin salvation cream through a YouTube video.
To her shock, within a month, Alexandra’s face started to clear.
She said: “I couldn’t believe how well it had worked, my skin is nearly back to normal now – it’s improved so much since I first started using it in March.”
Alexandra now swears by the cream, using it twice a day as part of her skincare routine.
“I use the hand cream on my hands and feet because I still have eczema on my feet.
“In the morning, after I’ve used a cleansing oil, I’ll put on the cream and again at night-time before bed,” she said.
Now back at work, Alexandra said that the biggest difference has been in her self-confidence, with friends and family noticing a huge improvement in her moods since her skin cleared.
“I definitely feel like I’m back to myself again, which is really nice for me and my family,” she explained.