✨Angelica Johnstone✨AKA @angelicathestudentnurse is the next SKIN STORY we are sharing for #EczemaAwarenessMonth
We hope that these stories help you connect and feel less alone through mutual understanding of the way in which our skin can make us feel. We also hope that these stories reach those who don’t suffer from eczema so they can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of living with eczema.
NOW OVER TO Angelica🥁⬇️
𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙀𝙘𝙯𝙚𝙢𝙖? + 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙩?
I was born with eczema as it’s been passed down from my mum so it’s genetic and I think the earliest memory I have of realising I had eczema was when my mum put me in the sea. As she knew the sea water would help my eczema and I remember screaming because of the pain & stinging. I actually laugh at this now because I actively have saltwater baths and will go into the sea because sea water is 100% magical and helps!
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬?
I think I want people to know that you are not alone with having a skin condition of any kind! Our skin is the biggest organ in our body and we are bound to have a problem with it at some point whatever that may be.
I think I grew up with lots of people having eczema and people talking about it but they always covered it up, so I never actually saw it apart from my mum and my eczema has always been dyshidrotic/Pompholyx eczema on my hands and I definitely never saw anyone have similar eczema to me until I saw @mackies_moments on Instagram and I thought WOW her hands are exactly like mine!
What accounts have helped you the most when it came to accepting your skin condition? 9. What would be your biggest tips for self-love/acceptance? I know a lot of people struggle with this…
So my advice for people with a skin condition would be to learn to come to terms you’ve got it. You don’t have to love it but more neutrally accept it. I have good and bad days with eczema and the bad days can affect my mental health, self-esteem, body image, and confidence. But learn how to cope with the bad days by learning positive coping strategies such as self-love, educating yourself on your skin, talking to people, etc…
Because I think having eczema has taught me that I’m actually fine with having eczema as I’ve known no different my whole life and my eczema probably will never go but I’ve allowed it to negatively impact my mental health which is something I won’t allow now as I’m older, wiser and more aware of what I can do improve my eczema for example by using the right products and talking to my friends with eczema or a skin condition as then I don’t feel so alone.
TRIAL & ERROR
I’ve learned over the years through trial and error which products I can and cannot use for my eczema and for me that was sometimes having to go through painful flare-ups or allergic reactions but then that has taught me what to eliminate certain brands, chemicals, or products.
I think my TOP favorite all-around brands have to be Aveeno & Liz Earle by far as they are so natural, gentle, long-lasting, top quality, and affordable.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY, Angelica,
love always,
Katie
#FocusOnEczema #NotDefinedByMySkin
Itch N Bitch 