Eczema is a skin disease that affects 31.6 million people in the United States. It can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for the people who have it. I have had eczema since I was four years old, but I never really talked about it with anyone. Some days, I could deal with the pain and go through with my day as if nothing was really wrong. Other days, the pain was so unbearable that I could barely move. It was an on and off situation, but my most recent flare-up was the worse one I ever experienced. I stopped coming out of my room and I tried my best to hide my skin.
Even if the weather was blistering hot, I would wear hoodies and long sleeves, since I was ashamed about how I looked. My parents began to feel worried about me and tried to get me to see a dermatologist. I refused to go out and get help since I was so busy with school and life that I thought I didn't have the time to go to a dermatologist. I thought that the flare-up would just pass and go away like all the other times my skin didn't feel so well. I was so wrong.
Last week, I realized I had enough. I went out and scheduled an appointment with my dermatologist and it was the best decision I've ever made. She realized what was wrong with me immediately and now I'm on my road to recovery. After my appointment, I contemplated why I waited so long to get help. I didn't have to suffer through weeks of discomfort. I realized I was just too scared to ask for help.
This experience taught me that it's OK to ask for help regardless of what the situation is. People are out there who are willing to assist you with any problems you are experiencing. If you're having a hard time with a class, you can always go to a professor or a tutor. If you have a medical issue, you can always see a doctor. If you're going through a tough time, you can always reach out to a friend, your family, or a therapist. Asking for help does not make you weak. Everyone needs assistance once in a while in their lives. Regardless of the situation, there is always someone out there willing to help.
