Features Lounge

Surviving a skin disorder

For my first official Features Lounge I thought I'd write about something very close to my heart - after all they say to write about what you know and boy do I know Eczema.

Okay, so it's not the most glamorous of topics in the world, which is perhaps why I've very rarely seen an article dedicated to the subject in any of the women's magazines I hoard on a monthly basis but, with an estimated 5.8 million people in the UK living with Eczema, it's probably a topic that could  do with a little more publicity.

The sciencey bit tells us that there are several types of Eczema including; Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, Dyshidrotic Eczema, Nummular Eczema and Seborrheic Dermatitis, all of which come with explanations on the brilliant National Eczema website http://www.nationaleczema.org/living-with-eczema/eczema-quick-fact-sheet, but lets be honest, if you're suffering with Eczema the last thing you're going to be arsed about is the sciencey bit!

I have suffered with this unsightly skin condition for as long as I can remember. At times it has been so bad that I couldn't physically move because my skin was so sore ( one aggressive attack on my feet rendered me literally unable to walk) and at other times you'd barely notice I had it at all. The real pain though, came from those around me. School was a nightmare when I had a break out, children can be mean, and I've been called everything from Scabby to Krusty the Clown. One occasion that sticks out in my mind occurred when I was eighteen and enjoying a night out. A male member of the group I was with, who I didn't know particularly well, went to great trouble to point out the 'rash' on my legs to everybody that would listen (which I'd desperately tried to hide in vain with a pair of thin tights) following which, I went to great trouble to crawl up my own backside, but I've since learnt to deal with narrow minded douchebags such as him (as it happened a few years later the offending douchebag came into the pub where I worked, clearly having forgotten who I was and asked for my number, at which I proceeded to wrong number him in front of a very large crowd of sniggering patrons - I toyed with the idea dear of spitting in his pint too, but alas I try to be a lady and decided against it - A childish and small victory, but a victory none the less).

Today though, I would like to think that I've come to terms with my 'condition' and those who feel the need to comment on it. I'm in my late twenties and although the doctors told me it was a childhood thing, there's no signs of my Eczema disappearing and so I've learnt just to cope with it by following a few little tips........

Give up the bath bubbles

I love the smell of bath soaks and shower gels, but I have had to come to terms with the fact that I just can't use them. If you suffer with Eczema anything perfumed is a big no no! I even tried using Simple products (which I love and recommend) but my doctor told me that during bad break outs it's best to use a medicated/prescribed shower cream as anything that foams (even my beloved Simple products) will strip a layer of moisture off your skin. I hated to admit that she was right, mainly because I didn't want to give up my girly scents, but it is ultimately a small price to pay for better skin.

* Hint: Avoiding perfumed products also means avoiding perfume itself on your skin, but I find that by spraying my clothes instead I can still smell nice without suffering for it afterwards! Swapping shop bought deodorants for natural products is also a great idea. Try www.marthahill.com for herbal alternatives.

Cut those nails!

Just like any other chica I love long nails, but with long nails comes horrific damage from scratching in the night. Terrific talons also harbour germs and bacteria under them which can be transferred into open wounds causing infection. To get round it and still be girly I cut my nails very short and then just experiment with nail art to make myself feel good again - see my Natty Nails section. Be sure though to remove nail varnish as soon as it starts to chip as, just like bacteria, paint can get into open wounds and cause infection.

Moisturise People!

Moisturise every day, all the time, after every shower, bath or hand wash, after going swimming, after going out, after coming home, after Hollyoaks, before Eastenders, after sky diving...whatever it is you're doing MOISTURISE.

* Hint. Moisturise before, during and after exercise. I love spinning but heavy sweating literally burns me as though someone is pouring acid over my skin. This is because sweating leaves a layer of salt on the skin, creating tightness and itching. By moisturising throughout you can combat the dryness created by your natural salts. (Just don't go overboard on your hands - sweaty, moisturised palms = broken nose as you gambole off the spin bikes mid pedal!!)

Wear gloves!

Always, always, always wear washing up gloves. I cannot stress enough just what life savers a pair of marigolds truly are. Washing up without gloves is the equivalent of diving into shark infested waters with 'eat me' written across your head - it's just asking for trouble. No gloves = No wash.....what better excuse for getting out of the household chores!

Get a good pair of tights

Okay, so we're all going to have bad days but an occasional break out on the back of your legs shouldn't stop you wearing that LBD. Invest in good quality tights to hide your skin so that you can enjoy the rest of your night. I highly recommend Marks and Spencer 20denier nude tights. They're light and breathable, whilst they almost look as though they aren't there and they hold your stomach in too.....bonus!!

Take off the makeup!

I love makeup and at times it has really helped me out when it comes to covering up dodgy patches of facial eczema, but always make sure that as soon as you get back in from where ever it was you were going, you take off all that gunk and slap on the moisturiser. Experiment too with different products. I find that Natural Collection and Rimmel suit my skin, but I have had reactions off other brands and so try to avoid them at all costs.

Keep calm and carry on

Stress is your worst enemy when it comes to eczema. Try to keep calm as much as is sanely possible in all situations.  Naturally there's always going to be that manic Monday scenario, a family row, a bad breakup or just an everything-going-wrong-kind-of-day, but I find that by going to the gym and talking to good friends when I feel everything getting a bit much I can limit the damage that stress has on my skin.

* Hint. Try reading The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. The concept of the book is based on Cosmic Ordering, which may or may not be for you, but by practising what Byrne preaches I have been able to deal with stress far more effectively.

Ignore the douchebags

It's hard to do, hell sometimes it's just impossible, especially when you're having a bad day, but ignore any idiot that tries to make you feel crap about your skin. I find the best way to handle things is to explain that it's Eczema that I have and it's not contagious. Naturally some people can't just leave it at that, some little gremlin inside them urges them to continue to pry and jeer and that my friend, is your cue to walk away. Flash a well timed middle finger if it makes you feel better, but under no circumstances take anything that cretin has said to heart. Your skin will have its good and bad days, but when they fell out of the ugly tree they got stuck with that soul. Pity them for their ignorance, but don't indulge them by giving them the time of day. Surround yourself with people that love you and accept you for who you are.....in fact that advice goes to everyone whether you suffer with a skin complaint or not.