One thing I used to hear a lot from people- including family members- was that skin problems 'aren't that serious'. That used to make me feel absolutely terrible about myself. I'd ask myself, was what they were saying really true? Was I, whose skin problems had held me back for as long as I could remember, just weak?
Of course, that was a long time ago. Now, when people say that, I don't start doubting myself- I get pissed. Like a few months ago, I had a dentist say to me, while he leaned over to finish cleaning my teeth- 'Still, it's only eczema, eh? Not a serious problem. A real health problem.'
Not a serious problem? Not really a health problem?? I had the overwhelming urge to shake some sense into him.
It's true- there are so many different health problems in the world; they are all real, and they are all burdens. Size, type, and seriousness vary, but I've never experienced a great deal of them, so I honestly couldn't say how hard they are to deal with- and I really wouldn't dream of trying to guess.
The one health problem I do know is eczema. Because I've had a LOT of experience there. Far too much.
I've had severe eczema since I was a baby.
When I say severe, I mean eczema that is all over my body, from my head to my toes, including the palms of my hands and the bottom of my feet. I mean skin that cracks if it gets too dry, flares up wherever I sweat (or any time sweaty skin touches skin [inside of elbows, behind knees, etc.]). I mean breakouts on my face, behind my ears, on my neck, on my breasts- even between my legs. Nowhere is exempt from a potential breakout.
It's not just about itching, either. Itching is just the tip of the iceberg. There's pain, tingling, heat, stinging- the list goes on. Eczema shouldn't be associated with the word 'itch'- a better one would be 'discomfort'.
I've recently visited Eczema.org, and, not for the first time, I was struck with how impersonal the site was.
There are numerous support groups, elsewhere, but they aren't very active, either.
So what do you do when you're having a bad skin day? What do you do when you're frustrated with your doctors, with ineffective treatments and awkward social encounters and embarrassment? Where do you go for support, for connection, to feel as if you aren't alone in your fight against your skin?
This blog is about living with skin that hates you. It's about days, nights, bad times, good times, symptoms, treatments, rants and possible graphic images/descriptions. It's not pretty. It's not polished.
But it's honest.
And that's something, at least, isn't it, reader?
Let's begin.
