My Life with Eczema A-Z

My eczema will ACHE after I scratch it. Never feeling satisfied after only a few scratches. It yearns for more.

My friends are often BAFFLED by my eczema and never quite understand what it is or what to say.

It will COME and go as it pleases, no matter what I do. Even though I do not like it, I must get used to it.

Whenever I apply medication, the itchiness and redness DECREASE. I’m grateful for my remedy, without it my eczema would be out of control.

My eczema never feels at EASE. It always feels like it’s finding new ways to annoy me.

Fighting an eczema flare

The burning can be FIERCE at times, like a lion during a fight.

Every day feels like a GAMBLE, I never know when a flare shall hit. Will it be tomorrow or next week? I’ll never know until it hits.

Scratching can become a HABIT at times. I’ll unknowingly scratch until it’s too late.

My eczema becomes INFLAMED whenever I stray from my diet. I try not to indulge too much, but at times I can’t help it.

Certain and uncertainties of eczema

People will often JUDGE me when they see the rash and often don’t listen when I try to explain what it is.

I’m very KEEN on sticking to my diet. A painful flare-up isn’t worth a cupcake or ice cream.

I’m constantly LEARNING from my eczema. Learning what’s a trigger and what isn’t, learning how to adapt, learning how to be content with it.

I feel like I have to MASK my rash when I’m in public. Not everyone understands what it is, and hiding feels safer than showing it.

I become NERVOUS when my eczema is visible. What if I get a sunburn, what if someone makes a comment, what if I scrape it against something?

I will OBSESS over my eczema.

Staying strong

I have to remind myself to be PATIENT and that I can’t predict my flare-ups. I can’t perfectly control it and I never will.

My family always has a QUESTION about my eczema. Some members may never understand, some always will.

My flare-ups can feel RAMPANT, like an animal.

My eczema will feel SCALY at times, making me feel like a snake shedding its skin.

I always have to fight the TEMPTATION to scratch my eczema. Always fighting to keep my hand away from the edge of the desk or a coarse pair of pants.

A war within my body

I always feel UNATTRACTIVE during a flare-up. I feel like a hideous monster, aspiring to be less appalling.

I sometimes wish my eczema would simply VANISH, so I wouldn’t have to deal with it anymore.

Having eczema can feel like a WAR against my own body. Constantly fighting to be healthy and clean. A war that can never be won or lost.

“X” marks the spot of where I always flare-up. Although it may appear anywhere, it loves hanging out here and there.

I’ll YELP in the morning when I see a new flare-up. Hoping it’s just a dream.

I’ll rub my eczema against the ZIPPER of my jacket, without realizing that I am causing more harm than relief.