Most people have experienceddry, itchy skinat some point in their life.
It also typically starts at a very young age, but it can develop at any point.
Eczema also has a lot of characteristics that distinguish it from garden-variety dry skin.
Getty / Science Photo Library
But it doesnt manifest in the same way for every person.
We talked to nine people with eczema about their experiences to show how multifacetedand misunderstoodthis condition really is.
“Ive had eczema since birth.
Courtesy of Lesley
The hardest part about eczema is the uncertainty.
One of those factors causes a flare and youre back to being red, angry, and highly frustrated.
When I was two weeks old, my parents noticed some red spots and rashes on my legs.
Courtesy of Kirsten
So, they took me to a pediatrician to assess me and I was diagnosed with eczema.
Then, in my early 20s, it came back again.
Now Im 25, and I started my first full-time job last year.
Courtesy of Imani
Then, I go for a run; running is my meditation.
So I go for a run if I can, but my skin will usually get a bit aggravated.
Then, I have to choose what Im going to wear for the day.
Courtesy of Lisa
I dont think, Everything is eczemas fault, but it has seeped into different areas of my life.
About a year later, I started to break out more.
The main spots that were affected were my wrists, inner elbows, eyelids, and my neck.
Courtesy of Kiran
When I was younger, I had self-confidence issues.
I went through a lot of anxiety and depression.
I was also always so stiff and tight.
Courtesy of Ashley
My skin felt like it had no elasticity.
A lot of people look at eczema, when its extremely flared and noticeable, and think its contagious.
It hurts your feelings.
Carletta Girma Photography
But Im a little bit older and have worked on my confidence.
I always remind myself that Im more than my appearance.
Im smart, talentedI have so much going for myself.
Courtesy of Sarah
Reminding myself of that has helped me become less insecure.
After I gave birth to my second son, my skin went crazy.
I never hadsensitive skinbefore that.
Courtesy of Maya
Eczema definitely affects my life.
So, I would think about my eczema and constantly worry about whether people noticed it.
Its an added layer of stress.
One treatment may not work for everyone, or all the time, even for yourself.
I was 1 when I was diagnosed with eczema.
Now, my eczema feels like soreness, itchiness, and burning.
Its painful and uncomfortable.
On a good day, I can move around freely and my day is not dictated by eczema.
I can wear makeup when I want and Im pain-free and not scratching.
The hardest part about eczema?
Ive never really known a life without eczema.
I was diagnosed when I was really little.
I cant begin to explain the number of excuses I have made to explain my skin to people.
If a client asked, Whats wrong with your hands?
Id be like, Oh my God!
I must have had an allergic reaction to something I ate.
What could it be?
I even participated in a clinical trial two years ago.
It was incredibly intense.
It was like a full-time job.
I was at the doctor multiple times a week getting blood samples taken and electrocardiograms.
Thats how desperate I becameI was willing to be a guinea pig for this condition.
Ive been on the medication, which isa biologic drug, since then.
I really own it now.
I started joining in on walks that they did and finally met other people who had eczema.
I was around 3-years-old when I was diagnosed with eczema.
My flare-ups would occur the most from when I was a young kid into my teenage years.
The hardest part was itching all the time.
I would scratch so much to the point where I would begin to bleed.
My skin was scaly and dry.
I tried every topical cream and home remedy there was to try.
Things definitely got easier for me as I got a little older.
Even by my teenage years, I found that most kids understood what eczema was by that age.
It definitely makes you feel less alone.
The fact that my mom had eczema also helped.
She was very knowledgeable about it and could empathize with me.
I also try and watch my stress levels, as stress seems to correlate with worse flare-ups for me.
I was diagnosed about four years ago.
I first noticed a red, itchy rash that would not go away and began spreading.
My scalp began flaking uncontrollably and hot spots appeared on my body and behind my ears.
I also noticed my lymph nodes behind my ears were constantly swollen, and I found it very alarming.
I live in south Florida, so being outside and walking around can irritate my skin.
Heat tends to make the rash much worse and the skin starts to become prickly.
Sunscreen can also aggravate it.
My hot spots get extremely red and the skin becomes raised and flaky.
A lot of times people will tell me something like, Well, it’s not that bad.
I know someone who had it all over her body.
I have suffered from depression and anxiety as a result of this skin condition.
Eczema is not just a skin disease, it becomes a psychological battle.”
I’ve had eczema as long as I can remember.
The itch is irresistible, and scratching can be difficult to stop once I start.
People dont realize that it can be inconvenient at times.
I remember when I was younger, I went to the pool with a friend.
Eczema can also change form.
My rash doesnt look quite like it used to when I was younger.
They don’t itch as much as the eczema I had when I was younger.
I wish people were a little more kind to people struggling with these types of skin conditions.
Were trying really hard to learn how to treat flare-ups because we obviously would prefer if spots werent there.
We dont need you to point them out.
Lets not draw attention to that.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
