'Tis the Season for Stress and Eczema Flare-Ups

Why does it feel like every month I write these, my skin is going through some new, random phase? It drives me crazy when good times come for a brief moment, yet the bad seems to come around to stay.

'Tis the season of extra dry skin, try and fail skin routines, and hopeful efforts that quickly become worthless flops. But I promise this isn't meant to be negative. It's meant to show the reality of living with our condition. I want to be honest about the frustrations I face. I don't have it all figured out and even when I think I do, my skin throws me a curveball.

Eczema and jewelry allergies

This season I've had a few setbacks. And when I say a few, I mean many. I began wearing my jewelry and although it made me feel beautiful, it also made my skin very red, inflamed and annoyed. One piece just so happens to be my medical emergency bracelet that I know I will lose as soon as I try to remove it...so I don't. I let my skin flare as it pleases in order to be safe.

Stress and eczema flare ups

Stress? Let's say, I know her well. Between starting a new job, trying to move, the holidays and so much more going on in my life right now, to say I'm stressed would be an understatement. At times I just want to pause in the midst of it all, but I know things are moving way too fast for me to slow down now. Unfortunately for me, my condition feels the same. At times I'll watch as my skin goes through drastic changes almost overnight. I know each day comes along with its own stressors, but I never imagined they would hit so fast.

Unable to hide eczema

There is no hiding...

It seems like my clothes no longer have the ability to hide my condition. I'm not sure if it's because of them or me. I try to pull my sleeves over my forearm, but truthfully, my eczema is so close to my hand that my sleeve barely covers it at all. *Unless I buy an extra-large shirt.* It annoys me because although I am no longer ashamed of what I experience, ideally, I wouldn't meet new people with it just blaring out for the world to see. I'd like to shake a person's hand without having to worry about what they think of mine.

Pushing through eczema flare ups

It looks worse.

Overall, my skin probably looks worse now than it has all year. I'm not sure which aspect of this season has my condition in such a flare, but I wish it would simply go away. I'm not ashamed, but a bit self-conscious. I also don't want people to look at me funny or treat me differently because of it. I guess this season is simply a season of chaos. I can't change it, so it looks like me and my eczema are going to have to battle through it, one flare at a time.