Living with eczema is more than just itchy skin. For many patients like Francesca, eczema is a lifelong journey filled with pain, challenges, and growth. Her story highlights the challenges of managing eczema while embracing self-acceptance.
” Eczema has been a part of my life since I was just three months old. While most families and friends fondly reminisce about a child’s early years, many of those who witnessed my childhood would often recall memories of my severe eczema. My skin was frequently covered in weeping, infected eczema, leaving me in constant pain. The trauma from the relentless suffering and the seemingly never-ending treatments stayed with me.
My skin experiences its ups and downs, but the most challenging period—and a defining chapter in my life—occurred when I was around sixteen. That year, the eczema peaked. It covered my whole body, including my face. Being a teenager is hard enough, but adding in the constant physical pain from dealing with infections, fatigue, and the impact on my self-esteem—it was a lot. That period in my life was my lowest point as I was overwhelmed with severe depression and anxiety while trying to cope with the demands of school.
Things got better when I started University. For about five years, I got to experience how great life can be when it isn’t weighed down by eczema. I was living my best life— cultivating exciting experiences with friends alongside academic enrichment. But in the summer of 2022, my eczema went out of control again. Managing eczema as an adult came as a new challenge. I started a new job, I didn’t have my parents to support me with daily tasks since I live overseas, and I struggled with a false sense of security as traumatic memories of my eczema began to resurface.
This time, I mobilized all the resources and support systems I cultivated and focused on learning how to attune to my body. I started meditating, seeing a naturopath, and making sustainable, healthier food choices. I began approaching my health more holistically, recognizing that eczema isn’t just about managing the physical symptoms. It wasn’t always easy – especially with the fears around treatments and the overwhelming amount of advice on social media. But I learned how to filter what posts were empowering and what posts weren’t. Talk therapy has also been huge for me. It helped me understand that fixating on worst-case scenarios only adds stress and inhibits me from living. I started opening up to my friends, partner and co-workers about my struggles. I’m blessed to say I have a wonderful partner, friends and family who love me unconditionally, no matter the state of my skin. Above all, tuning in to my spirituality became my source of strength.
I’m learning to reframe flare-ups as a message from my body to nourish myself more mindfully, rather than perceiving them as my failure. I’ve come to accept that healing is not linear and that this suffering will not last forever. Healing occurs when I am most attuned with my body and clearly understand what balance and alignment look like for me across all aspects of my life. Even though I still struggle with bad flare-ups and anxiety, I now feel more deeply connected to my body than ever. I now realize how much my eczema experiences fueled my resilience. I discovered that strength comes from being comfortable in your skin and that prioritizing self-compassion and rest in a productivity-driven society goes a long way on those tough days. Life is tough even for those without health challenges, making it even more important to extend kindness to yourself and to avoid downplaying the often debilitating nature of eczema.
Today, I’m channeling my passion for inclusivity by advocating for a world where ALL skin types and conditions are represented, normalized and celebrated. I want to see faces with imperfect and rashy skin modelled with confidence. Through these life experiences, I found my calling as a social worker, and I am excited to embark on this journey of empowering others with skin conditions and offering a brave space for all. “
ESC sincerely thanks Francesca for sharing her story. If you or your child is struggling with eczema and need urgent care, go to your nearest emergency department. If you need support, email ESC at info@eczemahelp.ca or connect with us through our social media channels.
September 2024
