For the millions of Black adults and children managing eczema every day, it’s a full-time job. Its impact goes beyond the physical discomfort and can be mentally and emotionally draining as well. What does it really feel like to live with eczema?
Getting the Day Started
You wake up already scratching. Your skin feels tight and uncomfortable, especially around your hands, elbows, or behind your knees. You reach for lotions and creams before you even get out of bed. Some mornings, the skin has cracked or bled during the night. If your eczema shows up on your hands or face, you’re already dreading how people might look at you today.
Before you leave the house, your bathroom counter becomes a skincare studio. Prescription creams, thick ointments, gentle cleansers, and more for you to choose from each day. Choosing an outfit? Where do you start? You probably question if the gloves will make you sweat and make it worse. Maybe you skip the jewelry today and opt to wear long sleeves even though the weather suggests differently.
Triggers Are Everywhere
You’re at work, or running errands, and something sets it off:
- The hand sanitizer at the store
- The scented soap in the bathroom
- Sweat from walking in the heat
- A stranger’s strong perfume
The itch creeps back, and no matter how much you try to ignore it, scratching only brings temporary relief. Even lunchtime is tricky. Certain foods like dairy, eggs, or shellfish might trigger flare-ups. But so can stress, and you’ve been stressing all morning trying to keep your symptoms at bay. You’ve read labels so many times you could recite the exact ingredients in your favorite foods. But still, you’re never sure if something new will cause a reaction.
Wrapping Up The Day
After a long day, you go home and start your eczema-safe routine which includes taking a lukewarm shower, using fragrance-free cleanser, patting yourself dry, and moisturizing immediately after. It seems simple, but doing it every single day can be challenging, and not to mention expensive keeping up with eczema-safe products.
You’ve made it through the day, but beneath the surface, eczema affects more than your skin. It can wear on your self-esteem, your energy, and even your sleep. Some nights you cry out of frustration. Other nights you feel proud to have managed a full day without a major flare. You wonder if it will ever go away.
You’re Not Alone
Eczema doesn’t look the same on everyone. That’s why some go years without a proper diagnosis. Talking openly about eczema helps break the stigma and get more people the care they need. If you’re living with it, know that your experience is valid. If you’re not, someone you know probably is and could use your support.
If you or someone you love is struggling with eczema, you may qualify for a clinical trial that offers access to dermatologist-led care and new treatments at no cost. Click here to learn more about participating in a clinical trial near you.
References:
- National Eczema Society. Living with eczema
- Allergy & Asthma Network. Coping with Eczema
- National Eczema Association. Managing Eczema on Your Hands and Feet
- National Eczema Association. Managing Stress from Eczema
