Since I can remember, my skin has suffered from severe dryness in big patches that have migrated to different places on my body. When I was a little girl, the patches were on the back side of my thighs, just where they could be visible in any pair of shorts. Which meant I could not wear anything "cute" in the summer or enjoy a summer pool day without pain and itching for days later. After a few years the rash on my legs subsided. I didn't have another breakout like it through high school. Until college.

**Okay, I know that there are MUCH worse conditions and diseases out there. Luckily for me, this is my only current major condition.

"What happened to your hands?" is a question I am sick of hearing. Every day I spend hours staring and picking at scabs and flaky skin. "So, it's not psoriasis?" No it's eczema.

"ec·ze·ma

ˈeɡzəmə,ˈeksəmə,iɡˈzēmə/

noun

1. a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding, sometimes resulting from a reaction to irritation (eczematous dermatitis) but more typically having no obvious external cause."

This time it started between my fingers freshman year of college. Dorm life meant "REMEMBER TO WASH YOUR HANDS" signs everywhere, and nothing but antibacterial soap. Some minor itching occurred between fingers that I wore rings on. Through college, this was a small concern. I knew what it was, and I had every cream imaginable for it (eczema is hereditary, and my father suffered as well).

The rash I live with now makes cracks along any major fold on my palms, itchy blisters that weep and burn, and flaking and peeling skin.

Antibacterial soap is the worst thing for eczema. It kills all bacteria on the skin which also means good bacteria. Oils are drawn from the skin causing my flare-ups. Honestly, there are lists of natural ways to minimize and avoid the inflammation of eczema- most of which being dietary changes (no grains, alcohol, caffeine, or legumes- more omega 3s and good fats).

Now, I work in the service industry. I wash my hands when necessary but using soap from any soap dispenser is sabotage on my hands. I eat as best I can for my state university post-graduate budget. I don't get my nails done, and I don't care if I don't look "put together" as a woman without well groomed hands.

The one thing that has truly bothered me is the lack of skin creams or topical treatments that actually work. Prescription ointments and creams aren't helpful for the location of my rash since the greasy types rub or wash off.

My best solution so far is Hemp Seed Oil and lotions made with it. The Body Shop has one I really like (but the gift set is marketed towards men??):

Other things I had read are magnesium flake baths or supplements, salt baths (AND THE OCEAN!). I take a magnesium supplement and probiotics.

The best thing to do if you suffer from eczema is realize that your lifestyle will affect it. For me, that means knowing the days I have off from the restaurant my hands will heal, and the moment I get back to work my skin will blister, peel, crack, and flake. If I could live my life between a vat of hemp or cannabis oil and a beautiful salty ocean I would be a eczema free mermaid for life.