Eczema is a pretty difficult skin condition to live with at times. Also known as atopic dermatitis, it causes the skin to be dry, itchy, and very *very* uncomfortable. From the weird looks you get from strangers while you’re trying to do your weekly food shop with a face covered in dry patches and skin flaking onto your eyelashes, to the mothers anxiously trying to persuade their child to not go near you when they see an inflammed rash on your hand, eczema is pretty darn awful and embarrassing to live with at times. We’ve rounded up the seven ways eczema sucks, just in case you’re new to the eczema club or aren’t plagued by something that looks, well, plague-y, and think it’s really not that bad to live with.
1. It looks gross
Let’s face it, eczema doesn’t exactly look nice. It’s a skin disorder that whilst isn’t contagious, often looks like it is. Cue disgusted looks from people on public transport when they notice your hands or face covered in dry red bumps with skin flaking off. Not to mention the well-meaning friends and colleagues asking if you’re OK while you’re sat there itching away at your wrist that looks like it’s an infected burn.
2. It itches like hell
Did we mention the itching? Because it itches. Like hell. The itching can only be described as God’s way of punishing you for all the things you have ever done in your entire life. And while you’re desperately trying not to scratch (because hello, scratching means infection), at times it feels as though no cream or ointment will bring relief (only these ones).
3. You can’t use any old skincare or make-up
Sadly, because you have eczema, you have sensitive skin. The skin condition itself means your skin barrier that locks in moisture is missing, and so instead of using any old skincare or make-up product that smells good and all the beauty bloggers are raving about, you are confined to using products that don’t contain harsh ingredients that flare it up. Thankfully though, organic products these days are MUCH better and more exciting than they used to be!
4. The misconceptions people have about it
Everyone asks “is it contagious?” “can I catch it?”. Like. So. Many. People. No. It’s actually a genetic condition, so is not contagious. And no you will not catch it from hugging me or using my mascara, and no your precious child won’t catch it from swimming in the same pool as someone with eczema.
5. You’re more likely to suffer from asthma and allergies
Sadly if you suffer from eczema, you’re also likely to suffer from asthma and allergies. This means wheezing, sneezing, coughing, and other lovely allergic reactions.
6. You can’t enjoy any season
While everyone is taking selfies with Starbucks’ red cups and looking forward to the first dusting of snow, you dread it because dry winter weather = eczema flare-ups. But, what about summer? Too humid and too sweaty and you still get…you guessed it; eczema flare-ups. Spring and autumn then? Haha, did you not see the previous point? Allergies. Hayfever with spring pollen. Mould allergy (aka, asthma attacks and eczema flare-ups) and decaying leaves.
7. One word: saltwater.
If summer brings humidity and sweat, the summer holidays also bring the pain of saltwater. Not every eczema sufferer is affected by this, but some of us unfortunately get eczema behind the knees and in-between the thighs when the saltwater from the ocean mixes with humidity on our skin when we get out of the ocean after a cool-down swim. Sucks to be us.
