Eczema- A part of me that I never asked for.

Published on October 2, 2025

Category : Personal Experience, health & wellness

Tags : eczema, chronic illness, personal story, self acceptance, resilience

"Eczema is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and can be a source of discomfort and frustration for those living with it."

I happen to be one of those people suffering from this frustrating and god-so-awful problem since the beginning of my time (birth). In this article, I aim to provide you with personal insights on this condition with what I understand.

When I was a little kid, I always asked God, “Why me?” I mean, yeah okay, I have it. It’s not like I could do anything about it. But as a child, it made me really sad and insecure. There was even a time when I refused to touch people because they said my touch was rough or when they made a face looking at the condition. It was itchy and painful and just too much as a child. I understood well enough about this condition at an early stage of my life that, just because I get to suffer doesn't mean others do too, so I stopped touching anyone. I even refused to touch my parents. It wasn't until I learned about communicable and non-communicable diseases a few years later, and I asked my father if it was communicable. When he said it wasn't, I had so much relief, it's indescribable! That was the time I realized, “Knowledge is power.” I was nine. Now, almost a decade later, the hunger for knowledge has just grown. Never sated.

To understand what I'm dealing with (like many others), we have to learn about this condition first:

What is Eczema?

"Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation, redness, itching, and sometimes blistering or oozing of the skin (weeping eczema). It is accompanied by a compromised skin barrier function, making the skin more susceptible to irritants, allergens, and infections. Eczema can affect individuals of all ages, from infants to adults, and can significantly impact quality of life."

Types

There are different types, but I don't have certified knowledge to give at the moment. But from what I understand, I have several different ones and they occur to me at different times or all at once. I have this on my hands and feet. I have dry skin but more dry hands at all times which get itchy, inflamed and then comes the best of these, the fluid-filled blisters on my palms and fingers, rarely my feet as I always keep them covered. Now, I don't certainly know the proper names for them because everywhere I see they are different. But I am certain I have got the painful ones.

The condition isn't deadly and doesn’t affect the rest of the body. Nearly half the children with eczema outgrow the condition or experience improvement by the time they reach puberty. Others (like me) continue to have some form of the condition throughout their life. For adults, the condition can be well managed with a good skin care routine (if that isn't a myth).

Also, it isn't contagious. Poor nine-year-old me!

Causes

Eczema can be triggered by various reasons:

Genetics – Individuals with a family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever are more likely to develop eczema. Or it can be "genetic mutation" (which I think is in my case).

Immune System Dysfunction – Abnormality in the immune system, particularly an overactive immune response to environmental triggers such as allergens or irritants. It's not an autoimmune disease, which involves the immune system attacking the body's own tissue.

Skin Barrier Dysfunction – A compromised skin barrier function, which may be genetic or acquired, can make the skin more susceptible to irritants, allergens and microbial infections, contributing to the development of eczema.

Environmental Factors – Exposure to allergens, irritants, temperature changes, humidity, and stress can trigger or exacerbate eczema symptoms in susceptible individuals.

How long does it last?

Many times, eczema disappears. This is known as the “remission” period. But it is a lifelong condition. We can manage the symptoms but we may have “flare-ups” which is when the symptoms show up or get worse.

Is there a cure?

No, there isn't one. Yet. Eczema is a chronic condition, which means it can go away and come back unexpectedly. All we can do is take precautions.

I was born with an under-developed pharynx, and eczema, which the doctors said are related. How? Why? I don't know that. Yet.

But I do know one thing — these conditions are not a nuisance anymore but a part of me. It's a routine that just feels normal now. There was a time when I felt unseen, different, insecure. Now, I embrace it because everything that it put me through has made me what I am today. It has made me – me.

For me, pollutants, pollen, any kind of dust, and weather change are the triggers, which makes me extra cautious at all times, never a day's break. I wash my hands after touching anything that comes from outside, or when I come back home. I sanitize every single thing that I carry outside with me too, which I need with me, and just leave the things for outside – outside. I always keep my feet covered, usually with socks. It's difficult to cover my hands at all times but I cover them when I need shampoo for my hair, even soap affects me but there's not much I can do in that. At all times I keep my distance from flowers. I know that they are so pretty and don't I just want to smell them? But they are poison to me.

Then there's breathing practices that I follow, usually yoga. That keeps my breathing regulated and prevents any flare-ups I can have from my pharynx (as a baby, I once stopped breathing until my parents took me to see a doctor instantly. Well, now that’s a way to scare someone). It's mostly developed now. But sometimes it feels like I can't breathe, hence – breathing exercises.

Now all of these routines are a part of my life and it does not make me feel different in a bad way anymore. I mean, I know I am different. But so is everyone. It doesn't make me feel insecure or sad, it makes me feel strong. Because even after all of this - even if it's hard, I still do everything that needs to be done, I still show up.

For people it may be a disease. But for many others and for me it's our normal. An extention of us.

-Varnika