Impolite Looks and Comments
How do you handle impolite looks or remarks about your skin? Any tips for how to respond in these situations?
Very good question! I have a few tactics, depending on how strong I feel. I generally just smile as sometimes people generally haven't seen bad skin or are just interested. I sometimes go into chapter and verse and explain my condition in detail. And other time I just tell someone I'm happy with my treatment, am well aware of how it looks and would prefer not to discuss it. Thank you very much. It can be so hurtful though and often makes me want to hide away at home to avoid confrontation or comments. Thanks for your reply. I like that you shared the variety of responses. If only people understood how uncomfortable it can feel to be on the receiving end all the time. -Sarah (AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member)
After a life long struggle, I'd like to think that having to deal with assholes have made me more of a conscious person to others.
At the end of the day everybody is ugly somewhere. Maybe it helps people trust me more if they can visually see my struggles.
Without this and a little more zeros at the end of my bank account, I'd be fucking perfect. Lol. And the rest of the population will be at a severe disadvantage had I not had eczema to pull me down a notch. Lol
But that's just my take on it.
Can't fight it. It's there no matter what. I just have to learn to live with it. Social life, organized sports, beach vacations, pictures, dating, everything.
It's not that bad considering I could have been born blind or without limbs or something like that. Puts me in perspective.Thanks for your response and for sharing your thoughts with us. I think many people here can relate. What you said - "everybody is ugly somewhere" really stuck out to me. Everyone struggles with something, and for those with eczema, that struggle just happens to be visible. Having visible flares/flakes can give lots of perspective. We're thankful for your input and hope you continue to find support here. Keep in touch with how you're doing. -Sarah (AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member)
Kind words
🙏🏽 This is a great question
. If this question was asked of me in my early 20s I would have no doubt reacted to it by saying something quite inflammatory - no pun intended - but I think the best way to deal with any negative response is fighting back with kindness. I don't mean in a passive-aggressive sense. I mean by responding to the person in warm,kind manner as if their negative comment is a genuine inquiry. I've done it before and it has deflated the situation. It's strange, I get this quite a lot in my job so I am well practised in dealing with it haha! As for reacting to people staring - this is completely out of your control and ignoring it is the what works for me. Thanks for raising this! Pete (AtopicDermatitis.net - Site Moderator) Your "inflammatory" comment made me lol! But in all seriousness, I am in awe of your approach to fight this with kindness. It makes me think of what we sometimes refer to as "unconditional positive regard" or UPR. Essentially it's assuming the best of others, maybe they said something out of genuine curiosity (though I realize that's not always the case). I admire your ability to handle these moments with composure, especially while on the job. You're an inspiration! Thank you for your response. -Sarah (AtopicDermatitis.net Team Member)
