The whole ethos behind @Itch_N_Bitch is starting conversations about our skin. One of the best ways to care for your eczema isn’t your physical skincare routine. It’s your mental health care. It’s about knowing you’re not alone.
Reading and seeing other people’s experiences of their skin and having that moment of WOW, I am not alone, and suddenly feeling this weird connection to a stranger online simply because they get it.
What started off as an extension of a podcast page has flourished Into a gorgeous community of itchy people connecting over the mutual understand of the mental health side of a skin condition.
The main aim of itch has always been to remind people YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
It is gorgeous to see we are achieving our dreams with every share, we reach new people, get new messages that honestly make me cry from how excited people are seeing there is an ITCHY GANG and community side to something that can often make people feel soo alone and recluse.
Having said this, sometimes it can be tempting to make sense of our own skin issues by comparing ourselves to others. I want to remind you, ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ก ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐จ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ฃ๐๐๐.. ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ช๐ฉ ๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐ฉ/ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ค๐ฃ.
Yes, other people’s skin may be worse but perspective is our own and if a small flare feels like a huge flare thatโs okay, feel the feelings and work towards focusing your energy on healing rather than comparison.
ADVICE TO FRIENDS OF ITCHY PEOPLE/ FRIENDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING;
๐งดAsking open questions lets them share as much as they’re comfortable with. Also, donโt ask them how their skin is. Ask them how theyโre doing.. too often people focus on the what that can see rather than how we are feeling.
๐งดWhen you’re talking to someone about their mental health, it can be tempting to find a quick fix. This can become very overwhelming having people suggest endless ideas when all we really need is to vent and for someone to truly listen without adding pressure to our healing.
My accounts @Mackies_Moments and @Itch_N_Bitch have taught me the real meaning of community. And most importantly, they have taught me that if you surround yourself with people who get it, youโll never feel alone again. Hereโs some top 5 tips I shared in a recent Salcura Article;
๐งดYOU ARE NOT TO BLAME FOR YOUR FLARES. The one thing people without eczema fail to understand is the fact that sometimes we canโt control our flares, they just happen for no reason. Like the smallest amount of stress can result in a blemish. Itโs not something we ate or did. We are not to blame. REPEAT AFTER ME; I AM NOT TO BLAME FOR MY FLARES.
๐งดWHEN FLARES HIT. Take time to relax and de-stress: my biggest advice is to treat flares like you would treat a bad mental health day. Self-care is key, maybe buy yourself your fave snacks, run an oat/ sea salt bath, and help yourself / a loved one recentre your mind. If theyโre feeling particularly self-conscious, plan dates or catchups in a safe space. Make time for self-care, as those first few days of a flare can be very mentally draining! HAVE A EMBARASSING LONE DANCE AND RELEASE THOSE HAPPY ENDORPHINS INSTEAD!
๐งดDONโT LET YOUR MIND BULLY YOUR BODY. Too often, Iโve allowed my mind to bully my body, using my mirror as a tool to zone in on the smallest โimperfectionโ. The mirror has always been a place I go to look for problems it seems. Letโs change this, go to your mirror either put an image of your younger self or grab an eyeliner and a positive affirmation or reminder. e.g., โEczema is tough but so am Iโ.
๐งดDEAR ECZEMA. If youโre feeling overwhelmed why not try writing a โdear eczemaโ letter to help you address/open up about how you are feeling, this can be something you share or simply write to express privately. Read the blog @nationaleczema did on it to help you get started!
๐งดWHEN TO SEEK HELP. If you feeling consumed from overthinking about your skin, itโs time to reach out to your GP/ university or register for @changingfacesukfree confidential, one-to-one social, emotional, and psychological counseling and support sessions for people of all ages in the UK with a condition, mark or scar that affects their appearance (a visible difference). Also, I want everyone to know it’s okay to ask for help. I’ve taken time off work as I couldn’t straighten my fingers due to how cracked and dry they were. Asking for help and being open about your skin is a vital step towards healing physically and mentally.
Join the movement, be the change..
๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ช๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ.
I just wanted to pop on and say when youโre ready to share, we are here to catch you. Simply tag me or itch โจ
Talking is healing. Simply put, the best advice is from people who understand what you are going through.
Big love,
@Mackies_Moments & ๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฌ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ช๐ท๐ฐ ๐
