Imagine waking up one morning only to find that your skin has turned as hard as rock—sounds like a horror movie plot, right? But for Monika, this was her reality after an extreme allergic reaction to medication prescribed for her autoimmune condition, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP).

Diagnosed in 2021, Monika faced a harrowing journey that left her hospitalized for 23 days on the stunning Gold Coast. While the powerful drugs were meant to help her manage ITP, they came with a severe side effect, triggering a painful skin condition that transformed her life into a nightmare.

“My face blew up almost every day, and I felt this horrible crawling sensation in my chin,” Monika recounted. “It swelled, split, and oozed, making me avoid going out completely. I could feel the shock in everyone’s eyes.”

Living in a constant cycle of treatments left her feeling desolate, and she described her skin as being ‘buried’ under layers of steroid medication. The pain grew so unbearable that Monika turned to THC oil, which, while providing some relief, left her in a haze for five days.

“I felt overwhelmed by the constant outpouring of unsolicited advice from people who meant well, but I just couldn't show my face in public anymore,” she said.

Despite the ongoing agony, Monika's journey took a turn when she decided to embrace an all-natural approach to healing. She shunned water on her skin, followed an anti-inflammatory diet rich in her homemade ‘turmeric and chili goop’, and meditated while using high-quality THC oil.

Her dedication paid off—within months, her skin began to heal, peeling away in cupfuls until, six months later, she had what she described as an entirely new face, complete with freckles!

Monika’s story is not an isolated incident. According to Melody Livingstone, the CEO of skincare brand MooGoo, the rise in allergic diseases among Australians has soared to 30%, a significant jump from 20% in 2007. She linked this concerning trend to environmental factors such as climate extremes, mould, and pollen, stating, “In the past year, we’ve seen nearly a 50% increase in demand for our eczema products, with a Pink Eczema Cream flying off the shelves every two minutes.”

Her experience sheds light on a growing crisis for many people suffering from debilitating skin conditions. The search for effective relief is more urgent than ever, especially for parents seeking help for their children who are also affected.