Don't Scratch!!

Emma/18/Hollins '21 // this is a blog by an eczema sufferer for eczema sufferers. ask me questions! submit content! don't be shy // DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a doctor and all advice offered on this blog comes from personal experience or the internet

[pikse-deactivated20231206]

(I’ll post a couple of the works I used for uni applications this year. Also to have some original-original content on the blog whilst all the playing with others’ artstyles!)

Here’s about a love-hate relationship with bad skin. It’s hard to find any art related to it so I made some!

[autoimmunedara]

this is beautiful.  thank you for the art.  this brings me comfort.  you are so talented. 

[forestdwellingrat]

eczema culture is wearing a long sleeve shirt and booty shorts as pyjamas

[thateczemalife]

Mood: scratching at affected areas bc the flaky skin is annoying and u want it off

Oh BIG MOOD 

[thateczemalife]

Hello! So your post about shower temperature is from like 2016 but I come with facts! When you have a real hot shower it tends to soothe the burning sensation of your eczema for a brief period of time but then causes your skin to have a mild freaker once you get out of the shower. Also I have thick layer of steroids and moisturizer on my arms rn and oh dear god the temptation to scratch is INTENSE. I hate flares so so much

It’s never too late for facts!! 

Also, I wish you the best in dealing with your flare!! You can do it :) 

[thateczemalife]

Emma’s Spring and Summer Fashion Tips

Ah, the warmer months! The bane of every eczema sufferer’s existence...that time when wearing sweaters and long pants all the time ceases to be socially acceptable! Luckily, I have had many years of practice with dressing myself to hide the max amount of problem areas while still looking great and mostly season appropriate, and today I am going to share all my secrets with all of you! 

Tip #1: Use long socks to your advantage! If you have eczema on your lower legs but still want to wear something that isn’t ankle-length, invest in a few pairs of thigh-highs or knee length socks. They hide legs exceptionally well while looking great with almost anything that shows a bit of leg- rompers, shorts, summer dresses, you name it! Plus they come in all sorts of patterns, which is great if you’re like me and love collecting fun socks :)

Tip #2: Leggings! They come in almost as many patterns as socks, and they have the added benefit of covering up your whole leg! If I’m having a bad leg day, I always have a pair of leggings at my disposal to make me feel more secure. Plus, they’re light, so you can wear them in both spring and summer! 

Tip #3: Layer using jackets and flannels. This year, I’ve been wearing flannels over almost anything- dresses, t-shirts, etc. They work well for when I’m feeling a bit shy about my arms, and the sleeves can be rolled up a bit if I’m feeling hot but I’m not willing to expose my flared skin to the public. Nice jackets or sweaters can serve the same purpose, while accessorizing whatever you’re wearing with it :) Another plus is that they can be removed as a last resort, while long-sleeved shirts cannot! 

Tip #4: Distract from your flares! If you’re having a bad flare day somewhere, try wearing something, like a really cute pair of shoes or some unique earrings, to distract people from noticing and direct their attention elsewhere. With any luck, they’ll be saying “hey, cool earrings!” instead of “what’s wrong with your arms?” 

Final Tip: Above all, wear what you want! If you’ve got a flare on your legs but you want to wear your best pair of shorts, go for it!! Obviously, these tips are only suggestions, and overall, my advice is to say fuck what everyone else might think of the flare on your arm and wear the short-sleeved shirt!! 

I hope that my tips were helpful, or at the very least amusing!!! If anyone else has any personal eczema fashion advice, feel free to send it to me and I’ll publish it here!! 

[thateczemalife]

Hey!! I just wanted to help some people out, I've had pretty bad eczema for pretty much my life, and I'm a makeup addict (literally haha). Wearing makeup with eczema is hard, especially foundation, as most of the brands with decent ingredients are really expensive. I've found some really good drugstore options though and want to share them. The healthy foundation by physicians formula is amazing, I LOVE the hydroboost concealers by neutrogena, also set your makeup w/ rosewater. Hope I helped!

[stormsson-deactivated20190816]

I used to not be able to take showers when I was little but now that all my pain receptors have been essentially clawed and chemically burned out of my skin, I’m indestructible and I am capable of infinite things

[thateczemalife]

Ugh that feeling when you get rashes in places you CAN NOT REACH and have to ask your parents to put cream on it for you...

I’m sorry :( that sucks :(

[thateczemalife]

Am I the only one that when I have a bad day, I rather just skip the shirt and wear my softest jacket?

definitely not!! :)

[thateczemalife]

i just found ur blog and i wanted to help out some anons. for eye eczema try a cream like a cera ve and then layer it with vaseline and then add a little eczema ointment on top. For makeup products, i recommend philosophy skin tint and glossier stretch concealer, both of them are hydrating and wonderful!

[webbywill]

ECZEMA PROBLEMS

*affected area is itchy*

Brain: itch

Me: no wtf

Brain: i t c h

Me: n o

Brain: i t c h

Me: okay

Me:* itches*

Me: * REGRETS FOR NEXT 84 YEARS*

[idkatbh]

not to sound ungrateful or anything but …… must be nice …. living without eczema

[roterhonig-archive]

Yup, laying in bed covered in cream and lotion and looking like an oily fish is truly an experience that you need to live at least once in your life

[bonyassfish]

every time somebody tells me i shouldn’t use prescription steroid cream for my eczema and i should try something more ~natural~ my eyes try to roll into the back of my head but they can’t because my eczema made my eyelids too crusty like damn karen congrats on your dermatology degree from “perfect skin since birth university”

[thateczemalife]

I love your blog!! It was one of the first eczema blogs I’ve found and it makes me feel so much better that there’s a community of people going through what I am ❤️❤️

Thank you so much! 💖

[thateczemalife]

Hi! I'd highly recommend creams/ lotions that contain primrose oil. For me, the pure oil hasn't really helped, but in combination with the other ingredients it does! Where I live, there are several options available in the drugstore, in the baby range but honestly, who cares as long as it's helping 😊

[thateczemalife]

mood: removing all uncomfortable clothing and just taking a two hour nap (a relatable eczema blog??? loving it!!!)

That is definitely the biggest and most relatable mood tbh

I’m super happy you find me relatable!!!