Magician who was too self-conscious to leave his home because of eczema claims his red skin has VANISHED after taking experimental drug
- Ryan Cunnew, 26, struggled socially and found it impossible to forge a love life
- Went through steroid withdrawals, causing hands and feet to peel uncontrollably
- Claims symptoms have vanished after taking part in NHS trial of tralokinumab
A magician to the stars whose crippling eczema left him too self-conscious to leave his home claims his symptoms have vanished thanks to an experimental new drug.
Ryan Cunnew, 26, struggled socially and found it impossible to forge a love life due to the skin condition which caused his skin to peel and break out in red raw sores.
Mr Cunnew, from Banstead, Surrey, took up magic as a seven-year-old and used it as his escape.
He has went on to perform for the likes of UK rappers Krept and Konan and Doc Brown, as well as boxing champion Charlie Edwards and Britain’s Got Talent dancers Twist and Pulse.
Two years ago his eczema left him struggling to walk and too self conscious to leave his home.
Magician Ryan Cunnew, 26, has suffered from eczema all his life, but steroid creams managed to keep it at bay until two years ago
Mr Cunnew was baffled as to why his steroid cream cyclosporine, which worked for years, became less effective over time. So he came off the drug in 2017 – but his hands and feet to peel uncontrollably
The magician holds up a deck of cards after performing to UK rappers Krept and Konan at an event
He had been prescribed a steroid cream called cyclosporine, which kept his condition at bay for years but was taxing on his liver.
Although the lotion helped at first, Mr Cunnew was baffled as to why it became less effective over time.
So he came off the drug in 2017 – but his hands and feet began to peel uncontrollably and become so dry he couldn’t walk.
His scalp also broke out in sores, leaving him struggling to sleep and reluctant to be seen in public.
Doctors believe he had developed topical steroid withdrawal – a rare reaction relating to the use of a topical steroid after it has been discontinued.
They recommended Mr Cunnew sign up for a new trial of the drug tralokinumab through the NHS. He claims his symptoms have completely vanished.
The magician, who runs an air conditioning installations and service work company during the week, also started taking probiotics after researching their benefits.
He said: ‘When I was really young in primary school, I always suffered from eczema, I was in and out the doctors and they’d give me steroid creams constantly.
Mr Cunnew signed up for a new trial of the drug tralokinumab through the NHS and clims his symptoms have completely vanished (before, left, and after, right)
‘I tried honey, tried herbal teas I tried everything and nothing really took it down. I was just managing it my whole life and just living with it.
‘As I got older it started to go down and then it started to come up again and I took steroid creams for a long time.’
Mr Cunnew was prescribed cyclosporine in secondary school and it dramatically reduced his symptoms.
WHAT IS TOPICAL STEROID ADDICTION?
Topical steroid addiction arises from the use of such creams to treat conditions like eczema.
It occurs when steroids have been discontinued after a prolonged or inappropriate length of administration.
Topical steroid addiction has not been reported with correct drug use.
Symptoms include:
- Redness, particularly on the face, genitals and area where the steroids were applied
- Thickened skin
- Burning or stinging
- Dryness
- Skin sensitivity and intolerance to moisturisers
Excessive sweating and itching is a sign of recovery.
Many sufferers also develop insomnia.
Treatment focuses on anxiety support, sleep aids, itch management, infection prevention and immunosuppressants.
Doctors should advise patients to avoid long term or high dose steroid use.
Source: DermNet NZ
But he became confused when it started to become less effective over time and he was having to apply it multiple times a day.
Not wanting to be dependent on the cream, he came off the drugs altogether – but it caused a massive flare-up.
He added: ‘I used to put patches on my skin so I couldn’t scratch it. At one point, my feet were all peeling, stinging, so dry and I couldn’t walk.
‘My hands, all over my body, my head all flared up, my forehead and my scalp. I was having sleepless nights for ages due to coming off this drug. It was bad.
‘I was off work for two or three weeks and couldn’t pick things up. My family had to look after me and help me get by day by day. It affected my confidence and work.
‘I’ve always learnt to live with it and manage it. The steroid cream only helped me for so much… It’s not good for my skin either and I try not to use it as much.
‘It’s a lose-lose situation. I’ve had it all my life, but only two years ago, when I was agreed to come on this new trial, through NHS, tralokinumab, which is when I finally saw a difference.’
Tralokinumab is thought to treat eczema by neutralising the production of the protein IL-13, which is overproduced in people with the skin condition.
Mr Cunnew also rethought his diet after researching online.
He added: ‘I also did a lot of research on diets and started taking probiotics, I now take Wicked Gummy Co’s Happy Tummy and Wicked Gummy Co’s biotin and folic acid-based Hair, Skin and Nails’ and slowly noticed a big difference.
‘I now take injections at home and take my probiotics. It’s still a journey but I’ve become a lot more confident.
‘Over the course of the last six weeks, my life has returned totally back to normal. I’m happy and even dating again.’
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