Hi, my name’s Elle. I’m a 19-year-old trying to spread the word about accepting eczema.
I’ve had eczema since I was a baby, but it’s only over the last four years or so that it has gotten this extreme. Since Covid, I’d probably say there’s only been 10-15 days when my skin hasn’t caused me problems. It affects my daily tasks – I dread something so simple as showering because of the pain. I’ve never spoken about my eczema very publicly before, because I felt embarrassed about how I looked. I’m not embarrassed now though and nor should anyone else be.
All I’ve known is steroids, moisturisers and other things to try and keep the eczema calm. None of these have ever been a long-term fix for me. I waited two years to have patch testing done and finally the result came back in June. I had over 35 reactions! It was such a shock at 19 being told I can’t have my nails done, hair done, wear certain make-up – all the things others don’t have to worry about.
Being young, I really feel/felt like my life was completely different to those around me. If I have any social things planned, I’m anxious for days before worrying how my skin will be at the time. I’ve had people staring at me in public, on public transport and had hurtful comments said to me. These people may be curious or trying to help, but it’s the worst thing for me. I don’t want to be looked at differently because my skin is red, flaky or painful.
Try and stop itching’ is probably the phrase I’ve heard the most in my life. It’s also the most useless one!
‘Try and stop itching’ is probably the phrase I’ve heard the most in my life. It’s also the most useless one! Dermatologists and GPs haven’t been much help. I’ve almost been made to feel delusional by a lot of them and that’s the worst feeling. No one knew/knows what to do with my skin as of yet, but two massive factors for me were stopping using topical steroids and my mental health.
I still have symptoms of topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) after not touching a steroid for two years now. It was the worst, yet best thing I’ve done for my skin so far. The initial stopping is horrible, your skin goes through withdrawal but I was confident the outcome would be much more beneficial than a short-term fix. My eczema really affects my mental health, causing so much stress and making me feel anxious and depressed. There have been times when I haven’t been able to get out of bed, go to school or work, which I’ve really struggled with being so young.
If I could tell my younger self and anyone else something, it would be to love yourself, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed by eczema, and things DO get better!
I’m still battling my skin and trying to get to the core of why it’s flaring so badly, but I now accept that it’s a part of me and not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. I’m grateful I now have loving people around me who don’t care if I’m flaky or red and it’s really helped. Having a severe skin condition doesn’t make you less beautiful, less worthy or unable to achieve; it makes you stronger.
If I could tell my younger self and anyone else something, it would be to love yourself, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed by eczema, and things DO get better!
