Growing up, I didnt go to the doctor.
If something was wrong, you dealt with it silently.
Ostracized Due to My Skin
I grew up in a small town in Michigan.
Photo courtesy of Psyche Terry / Designed by Julie Bang / Verywell
My skin was always something that separated me from others.
I didnt mind being the darkest skin tone in the classroom.
Psyche Terry
They would itch, and I would scratch until my skin bled.
And it was hard to hide from people.
Sticks and stones may break my bonesthat was a lie.
I used to say that because I was teased a lot.
Most kids didnt even ask what was wrong with my skin, they just didnt play with me.
I heard, Shes nasty and She doesnt know how to take care of herself.
It was hard to make friends.
I was literally uncomfortable in my skin, so it was hard to be fully comfortable with anyone else.
I just thought I got bad rashes.
They would itch, and I would scratch until my skin bled.
I was desperate and unknowingly doing everything that youre not supposed to do when you haveeczema.
Now, I can count on both hands the things that Im allergic to.
Spring would come, and Id flare.
Im allergic to grass and pollen.
It was a constant struggle to prepare my body for the next season.
What I put into my body also affects my flaresfood is something that I now pay attention to.
The eczema would trick me.
It always came running back to me.
When I was finally diagnosed, the dermatologist gave me some lotion and over-the-counter allergy medication.
I was newly married and embarrassed of these veryclinical-looking topical creambottles.
I didnt want to bring attention to my already annoying and embarrassing skin situation.
I wanted to deal with it silently.
They were all chemical based.
There is always a rainbow after the tragedy of not knowing what to do to help yourself.
Thats what inspired me to start my business,Urban Hydration.
Its a clean beauty brand with a story that started with me creating a safe space for myself.
I wanted to create products that made me feel protected, and I wanted to give that to others.
There is always a rainbow after the tragedy of not knowing what to do to help yourself.
Be conscious of how your body responds.
We are all so different, no matter what our skin pop in or skin tone is.
Understand your triggersmaybe its stress, maybe its your environment.
And of course, read your labels.
