Susan is 16 and she suffers from severe eczema which really affects her confidence. Despite this, she stays strong and positive. Here, she shares her story with you...
Susan's Story
Ever since I was a baby I've had mild eczema, which is a condition that irritates and often inflames the skin. It was always just in the creases of my arms and behind my knees. It never really bothered me, just required a little bit of attention with creams sometimes.
But when I was 14 it suddenly flared up on my face, somewhere it had never appeared before. Soon it had spread all over my body. My legs, arms, shoulders and face were all covered in severe eczema. I didn't know what to do. I didn't mind so much having it on my body, it was sore but at least it could be covered up, unlike my face. And my face was the worst.
The skin on my face would always be raw red and flaky; sometimes it would blister and weep, other times the skin would thicken and darken. Then sometimes the blister or cracks in the skin caused by eczema would become infected, making it look even worse and making it very painful for me to smile or laugh. Crying was also painful… so I guess crying about it wasn't an option either! Haha.
The final straw
My friends were very supportive about it but some girls in my year would do things like call out 'Oh Suz, have you been on holiday? Because your face has a lovely tan!' then giggle away. They were referring to my skin darkening where it had thickened.
When the boy I really liked described me as 'looking like a burns victim' to one of my friends, it was the last straw. We had my doctor refer me to a dermatologist.
Tests
The dermatologist tried everything. I was sent for allergy tests, UV light therapy, and I was given tons of special moisturisers but none of them helped clear it. I ate only brown rice for two weeks to see if the cause was something in my diet. I even spent a brief amount of time in the hospital to see if taking me out of my usual environment might clear it up.
Nothing worked except using very strong steroid creams and tablets, but these can't be used for very long at all because they both have very severe side effects.
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
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I hated my appearance
At this point I hated how I looked. I rarely left the house except to go to school. I was no longer interested in doing anything but sitting in, because every time I went out I felt like people were staring at me and silently thinking I was a freak, even though in reality they probably hadn't even noticed me.
They said this sudden onset of eczema was due to hormonal changes and nothing more can really be done. Apparently I just have to hope I outgrow it, although this may never happen. I try to stay positive and say that won't be the case.
What life is like for me
Now I use a very light steroid cream just to keep my skin from breaking and thickening so it can't get infected. It doesn't cure it completely but it makes me look a bit better.
I long to wear make up and look pretty so I can go out to discos like my friends, but every foundation I try causes a flair up, including the ones that say they are safe for sensitive skin. Basically, I can't wear any make up at all.
I can't wear or use anything that has perfume in it, which is more than you'd probably think. I have to use unscented deodorants, shampoos, soap, hair spray etc. My parents can't spray any air fresheners or light any scented candles in the house as I get horrible skin reactions to the perfume in them. I can't even be around people with lots of perfume on.
“I have to wear gloves at night because I scratch so much”
Every morning I have a routine, I must first put on steroid creams to the worst effected areas, wait 15 mins, then apply a special moisturiser all over my body. Then my mum and sister help change my bed sheets and vacuum my whole room to make sure there's no dust or dirt to irritate or infect my skin.
All day I have to keep applying moisturiser. I can't swim in the sea because the salt in the water stings so much. I also have to wear gloves at night because I scratch so much. And I have to cut my nails down every second day to help minimize the damage done to my skin when I scratch.
Staying positive
But despite all this, I try to stay positive. At least with super dry skin you can't get spots! I don't go to discos or anything yet, I'm still not quite confident (or eczema free) enough to do that but I go out with my friends to the cinema and stuff, or my friends will happily come over here and hang with me. They love me for who I am. I'm starting a new school in September so I'm hoping everyone there will be understanding.
Well, I just thought I'd write and tell you my story so that other people who have it as bad as me know they're not alone, as I thought I was at first. I'm also telling it for the people who won't go out because they have one lousy spot...
Just think, I'd kill just to have to deal with normal teenage spots like yours!
Help and advice:
BBC Health page on eczema
National Eczema Society
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
Kiekei, 12
!i have eczema and when i was little my tummy went flakey and i couldnt do pe and i got builled because of it. it also means i cant get my ears peirced and i get it on my lips which means i cant smile sometimes and people think im depressed. ppl just dont get it do they ??
Lucy, 15
I was near crying at this! I never thought eczema was this bad. But you should be proud of youself for staying so strong and positive. And no matter what anyone says, you're beautiful just the way you are!! xxx
Amy, 14
You are soo insipring...now i actually feel thankful for my spotty skin! You should be so proud of yourself for this
Rachel, 15
I've had eczema all my life, and been though some rough patches, but its so much better now! stay positive, good luck x
bee, 15
WOW.. i use 2 hav aczemaa when i was little all over my body my skin darkend and people looked at me funny buh now im cleared up but still hav it on my wrist and near ma bottom lip.. hpe you get better soon :) x
Melanie, 15
Hey I have eczema too! And I have since I was little, and your story sounds just like mine. I didn't break out until two summers ago (Summer of 07, I think) The only break outs on my face are on either side of my eyes. Mine is triggered more by metals, and certain things soaps and what not. However its not to the point where I can't use air fresheners. And I too have to use a cream to help. Only put it on ONTOP of my lotion though.ANYWAY, its comforting to hear about other people's experiences with it. And its great that you are trying to stay positive!
George, 15
Good for her! I think people should always stay positive. I don't know anyone who's had this problem, but she's damn right when she says her friends love and support her for who she is. Best wishes Susan!
catherine , 13
i think is really gr8 coz it made me thankfull for spots on my face not many stories can do that do me.
Emma, 21
I feel sorry for you having to suffer with eczema so seriously, i have eczema as well and i can't use certain products or even peel potatoes but it is not as serious as yours. i do hope that you grow out of it, and stay positive. you are inspirational
Ashleigh, 13
When i was young i had servere eczema all over my body espically my legs. After i got out the bath my mum had too apply thick layers too my body off cream. It was horrible. I hope you get better soon and dont let anybody bring you down. Good luck :)
Ellie, 13
Omg, I think you are AMAZING! you don't have the easiest life and yet you stay so positve and you have made me think twice about all the things i moan about! I hope your eczema gets alot better and goes xx
Emme, 16
Thank you for sharing your story with us. You are inspiring to others. :)
Eleanor, 15
I had the same servere eczema when I was younger and it wasn't fun because how do you explain to a baby/toddler, that they can't stratch you can't stop them. So I had to wear mittens and use creams and such. Since it has got better, it is still there but I am able to deal with it and it is a lot mildier. I still have flare ups, and its worst around my lips, I have had to had steriod creams for that! So keep up the postitive attitude and don't worry about what others think! Hope it gets better! <3
Chloe, 15
Wow! You're a strong girl to stay positive through all of that! It really annoys me when people mon over things like one tiny spot like you say- it could be loads worse!! Well done and I'm sure it'll clear upp soon! =D
Sai, 15
Aaw bless you Susan! When I turned 14 my ezema hit the roof too. I was on steroids aswell, and things to add to the bath, and other creams.... I think it was 5 in total at one point because I developed dermititis on my scalp as well! Luckily Ive never had eczema on my face though, but anyway most of it's gone now although it's recently came back to my arms..... Anyway good luck with yours and everything and don't bother wasting time on people [especially boys] who can't look past appearances!x
Abby, 15
I feel for you terribly but you are very lucky you have lots of support and are mentally strong! I suffer from eczema but not severe. I just tend to get it now and again on the inside of my arms and I get it really badly in my gro area. Unlike you I'm not mentally strong and I praise you for doing what you do. Your an inspiration and whenever I complain about something stupid this will make me stop and think at how lucky I really am. I wish you all the best!xx x
Cassy, 14
I also have a mild form of eczema, which was very annoying to live with. It was on my arms and legs. My skin would turn dark brown and peel off and bleed. I would never show my arms. But after i read your story & how you have dealt with worse, i don't care what people think. Well done for keeping positive !! ;) x
Hannah, 13
Wow Susan, you're really brave! I don't know if I could cope like you have, good on you girl! Keep your chin up, and carry on being as great as you have been this whole time!! xxxxx
Hollie, 13
its amazing your keeping confident and it really makes me think about how much i whine about the three or four spots i have.I wish you all the best in your new school and i hope you learn to love yourself for who you are and realise if anyone judges you thats there problem because i think its great that you have such a posotive outlook on life -xXx-
Megan, 15
I get eczema, but nothing like this...well done for staying so positive, and I honestly hope it clears up so you can feel more confident. Don't let other stupid people get to you!! Everyone is beautiful x
Amy, 16
I have eczema too and I still ive in hope I'll grow outta it! I've been on loadsa steriod creams but I've got a light one now. Now, I hardly think about my skin at all! Unless I'm doing the dishes or something...
Kirsty, 18
Well done for doing this Susan! I had a very similar experience with my eczema - mild for most of my life, but flaring up in my mid-teens. Like you I hated looking different and my confidence took quite a knock. I hope people who know little about the condition will read this and come to understand more about what it is like to live with. Once again, thanks for telling your story!
