How Feeling Heard Helped Reshape How I Think About My Eczema

I’ve lived with eczema for as long as I can remember. At 6 months old, I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and 74 different allergies. 

When I was a child, my family never received answers to our questions about what was causing my skin to behave the way it was. Nor did doctors try to work with us to find different treatment options. Instead, I was immediately put on triamcinolone, a topical steroid, to combat my out-of-control flares. I had full on itching tantrums and it was just pure misery.

Over the years, I went to so many dermatologists hoping they would listen to my concerns and offer a different solution. But I would always walk away with a refill on my topical steroid. 

During that time, people had little awareness about topical steroid withdrawal and overuse. Once I learned about all the negative effects topical steroids can have, I immediately stopped using them. Then my eczema began flaring. I couldn’t even put on clothes to go to work, school, or hang out with friends. I was feeling my lowest.

The fear of being seen

I was a competitive dancer for 13 years, always in costumes where most of my skin was visible. Having a rash and not having “pretty skin” was a constant insecurity that manifested in anxiety. Also, I grew up near a lake where it was normal to go out on a boat or jet skis every weekend. I was extremely self-conscious of putting on a bikini and revealing all my patches of flared skin. And there have been countless times when I’ve canceled a date with a boy early in a relationship because of a flare. Even though it’s silly, some people do think that I have a contagious disease. 

It took a long time for me to find a doctor to help me find a solution that would help me find my confidence.

The power of empathy

My life changed the day I met the wonderful allergist/immunologist who I still see today. I had never felt so heard. She listened to my concerns and then we immediately came up with a game plan. She took labs, updated allergy tests, and we explored Dupixent.

I have been on and off Dupixent injections for 3 years now and it has changed my self-confidence and how I live my life. Although there are secondary side effects such as eye irritation and minor rashes, I would take these over how my skin used to be any day.

A new perspective on my eczema

I still have flares. But even when I don’t feel the most confident, I try not to let them interfere with my life. I started going back out on the lake, bringing allergy medicine and lotion, just like someone who has diabetes would bring insulin. I’ve learned to see my eczema as something unique to myself. It might not be the most glorious “quirk,” but it’s mine.

Advocating for other people with eczema

I am in my last year of pharmacy school and trying to become more involved with the eczema community. Although eczema isn’t my main career focus now, I aspire to make a difference and advocate for the eczema community.

People don’t view skin issues — whether it’s acne, psoriasis, eczema or something else — as seriously as they should. They can be catalysts to so many detrimental issues. Eczema can bring someone’s mental health down in an instant.

If there is one thing I would advocate for, it’s for doctors to hear out their patients with eczema. Help them gain access to helpful medications, help them change their eating habits if that seems to improve their eczema, or simply, just listen.