It was only recently when I had an outbreak from my shoulders to my thighs that it fully hit me how irksome and infuriating eczema is. I have been officially diagnosed with eczema ever since I was ten, but I’ve had it all my life. Most people view eczema as a medical condition of abnormally dry skin, but after a lifetime of having that condition, it is much more than that. It’s an issue that needs constant maintenance and causes a shitload of annoyances.

1. People will stare at your rashes and ashy dry skin scales.
2. Said people will ask about what happened with super concern and confusion.
3. And the same said people will recommend all kinds of remedies to alleviate your skin, from keeping a carb free diet to sacrificing a goat on the full moon (no, that doesn’t help).
4. You will try not to scratch those eternally itchy spots. You know you must resist the temptation. Unfortunately, before you even notice them, you were already vigorously scratching them for half an hour.
5. You will have drops of blood on your clothing. One time when I had scabs all over my back, ominous drops of blood were scattered across my shirt.
6. Some days, only steroid creams prescribed by the doctor completely clear away the outbreaks, which is an issue because my insurance just ran out.
7. There is no cure for eczema, so you are forced to actually be a decently healthy human being to eliminate all potential risks.