1. I don't always wash my hands.

If I'm just in the house and not going out, I don't always wash my hands after using the restroom. I understand this might be gross to you, but using soap hurts so bad that I have to avoid it sometimes in the midst of a flare-up.

You bet if I'm interacting with people or handling food I WILL wash my hands, but sometimes I just can't. That doesn't make me gross.

2. I have skipped class because of it.

So far I've skipped class twice because of my eczema. It itches so bad that I know I won't be able to focus. This doesn't mean I'm lazy or overdramatic.

3. I've tried every lotion on the planet.

I've also wasted a lot of money on products that don't work. Cerave is the only one I've really had luck with, and some Aveeno products.

4. I don't use a lot of soap in the shower.

I only use soap where necessary, and especially not my hands because that's where my eczema is the worst. It doesn't make me gross.

5. Sometimes I scratch because the pain is better than the itch.

That's the truth. There's nothing I can do to make the itch go away. I really try to ignore it, but it's nearly impossible. If you wonder why people scratch until they bleed, this is why.