The Polar Opposite Of The Patient I Should Be

I am 100% the polar opposite of the patient I should be - and I'm well aware of this. I know what I should do to possibly help my skin and my condition, but usually, I just don't do it. It's not out of intention, it's purely because I actually am the polar opposite of the patient I should be. I genuinely don't have what it takes to be the proper Atopic Dermatitis / Atopic Eczema patient.

Experienced eczema warrior

I've been living with my condition since I was a child. Meaning I have read a ton of articles, I have seen physicians, I have talked to professionals. I know what's considered good for me. I know what's "dermatologist recommended" and I also know what I like (and what I don't).

Eczema problems

I hate cold showers, cold water in general. I hate lotions, creams, and ointments. I hate taking medications and I most of all hate not scratching my irritated skin. I think I'm probably one of the worst people possible to have my condition. I've never enjoyed skin care. Never really cared too much about things like that. I guess you can say I'm somewhat of a tomboy.

Nothing works for my eczema

Instead of worrying about my skin, I'd rather go for a hike or play a sport. Instead of creams, lotions, and ointments, I'd prefer to take a shower and go! I know what could make my life with Atopic Dermatitis / Atopic Eczema easier, but I just don't like doing it.

I've tried everything for eczema

I spent years of my childhood doing the right thing - taking oatmeal baths, cold showers, not to mention all the meds! I spent so much time and invested so much energy and effort into "fixing" my skin for none of it to work, I'm honestly not very motivated to do much these days.

Living with eczema

Most days being the opposite of the patient I should be doesn't benefit me too much. My skin gets irritated pretty often, but one of the most difficult things about living with this condition is that no matter how much you hope your efforts will bring you comfort and relief, it can't be guaranteed. You never know what, if anything, will work. You never know when it will work. We can't truly anticipate the next flare or the next time we'll see remission. So it's hard for me to be truly motivated to go over and beyond with my skincare routine when it's not even guaranteed to be successful.

Tired of my eczema

While I'd love to have "better skin," I also love my freedom. I love leading a life that is free of restrictions. As someone living with Atopic Dermatitis / Atopic Eczema and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, I know the burden of restrictions all too well - and I'm tired of them. Between scars and dark spots from AD, to surgeries for Ulcerative Colitis, I've been adjusting my life and "likes" for years.

Trying my best

But of course, through all of these struggles I've also learned a lot of lessons, one important one being in life everything worth having requires sacrifice. So while I'm not the perfect patient and my likes will probably never align with the requirements of being the ideal AD patient, I will try to do what's asked of me to hopefullyimprove my condition.