Thalia's Journey: Embracing Eczema, Embracing Herself

Ayesha Shahid
Mar 18
8 min read

What if you woke up one day and realized that something you could never control started defining how people saw you? What if a condition, something as simple as skin irritation, could shape how you interact with the world, how you feel about yourself, and even how others perceive you?

What if, despite it all, you still found a way to be confident, to smile, and to be unapologetically yourself?

Thalia’s story is one self-acceptance, and transformation. Living with eczema, a condition that affects her skin both physically and emotionally, she’s had to face challenges that many can’t even imagine. But despite the constant battle with her body, Thalia has learned to embrace herself in ways that many of us can only dream of. This is her journey, a story about more than just skin deep—it’s about strength, vulnerability, and finding beauty in the places we least expect.

How I Found Her

I first met Thalia during her freshman year. She was quiet and shy, the kind of person who kept to herself. We’d pass by each other in the hallways and exchange a quick "hi," but we never really talked. It wasn’t until the beginning of this year that we started to chat more.

One day, after she found out about my blog, Thalia mentioned to me that she had eczema. I wasn’t shocked because I already knew she had it from before, but hearing her talk about it made me more curious. I wasn’t aware of the extent of what she was going through, and it got me thinking: What was it like to live with eczema every day?

So, I did what I would expect myself to do—I asked if she’d like to share her story. To my surprise, she agreed. That’s when I knew I had to write about her journey—not just because of her experience with eczema, but because of her strength and resilience in managing it. Thalia’s story was one of self-acceptance and finding confidence through the challenges she faced, and I felt it was one worth sharing.

The start of her Eczema journey

"I’m not sure when I was diagnosed, I just know that I’ve always had it," Thalia reflects, sharing that her eczema is something she’s had for as long as she can remember.

"I have a few family members who have it too, so I do know that I got it from my mom." From a young age, she was aware of the itchy patches of dry skin that marked her body. I can't imagine how she dealt with constant irritated skin as a child. When I was her age, I was busy running around and playing, not scared of getting anything on my skin or worrying about how I might have a reaction.

"My main symptoms were dry and itchy patches of skin," she recalls. Growing up, summers were the hardest because the heat and humidity would make her skin flare up.

"You would think that I would get more flare-ups in the winter due to dry weather, but my flare-ups were even worse in the summers," she says.

She remembers traveling to tropical places as a child and how much worse it got in those humid climates. "The heat created sweat, and that would make my skin even worse," Thalia explains. I can only imagine how frustrating that must have been—being in a beautiful place, yet feeling so uncomfortable in your own skin. Despite these struggles, her eczema wasn’t something she talked about much. "Back then, I didn’t know what caused the flare-ups or what products would help," she admits. I get that; when you're dealing with something that’s not visible to others, it’s hard to explain or even ask for help. As time passed, she began learning how to manage it, but back then, things were hard to control. "I’ve learned to care for my skin more, but it’s still really noticeable," Thalia adds, acknowledging that managing eczema is a continual journey. I could sense the weight in her voice, the frustration of learning to live with something that, no matter how much care you give it, never fully goes away. But there’s a quiet strength in how she speaks—she’s accepted the challenge, and even though it’s not easy, she’s still determined to take care of herself and keep moving forward.

The bad stuff: Bleeding, pain, and the emotional toll

"When I was younger, I used to get really bad flare-ups," Thalia shares, recalling how severe they were. "I would scratch until it bled."

The vivid image of her scratching until her skin bled hits me deeply, and I can't help but feel a mix of sympathy and frustration for her younger self. The wounds would often ooze pus, which made her skin even more irritated. I can only imagine how much that must have intensified her discomfort.

"This I never shared with anyone outside of my family because I used to hate it," she admits, revealing the emotional toll the condition took on her. Hearing this, I realize just how isolating eczema can be—something so personal, yet so visible, yet kept hidden out of shame. The pain of those flare-ups would sometimes be unbearable, especially when her skin became so dry it would burn.

"When it would get really dry, it would hurt to move, especially the skin behind my elbows," Thalia explains. It’s hard to even imagine how painful that must have been—the kind of pain that isn't just physical, but can break down your confidence and leave you feeling helpless. She shares that during particularly bad flare-ups, she would have to wrap her hands, legs, and arms just to feel some relief. I wonder how many sleepless nights she endured, trying to find some comfort, only to be left frustrated. "I would actually wake up at night because of the itching," she says, describing how scratching would disturb her sleep. "The skin would be so irritated that I couldn’t sleep until it stopped," she said.

I can’t help but feel a sense of deep empathy for how such a simple thing like sleep could be so disrupted by something as uncontrollable as eczema. These physical struggles were compounded by the emotional burden of not being able to control her body’s response. I know how hard it can be to feel different, but to have something so visible and constant must have been devastating, especially in those formative years. She remembers how much it hurt her self-esteem during her younger years. That pain, the sting of being self-conscious about something you can't hide, echoes in my heart because we all know how it feels to want to be accepted, yet feel as though something is always standing in the way.

Healing, Confidence, and Growth in High School

"Now, my eczema is less severe, but I still get flare-ups occasionally," Thalia says, reflecting on her journey to find some control over the condition.

She talks about how she developed a skincare routine that helped her manage her eczema. "I need at least 3 layers of product to keep my skin healthy," she explains. "The first layer is my eczema cream, next is an unscented lotion to lock in the moisture, and lastly is my scented lotion." I can’t help but think about how much I take my skin for granted. I’ve never had to think twice about what products I use or develop a routine to care for my skin. It’s something I never really had to work for. She admits that it took years to figure out what skincare worked for her. "It sounds easy now, but finding the right combination of products was a trial-and-error process," Thalia shares. I realize how lucky I’ve been in this sense, that something as simple as taking care of my skin has never been an obstacle. It makes me think about the things I take for granted every day, like clear skin and the freedom to simply use a lotion without worrying about flare-ups.

Despite the progress she’s made, flare-ups still happen, and scars come and go. "The scars I have now are reminders of how bad it used to get," she says. "But over time, I’ve learned to embrace it more and not let it define me." In high school, Thalia’s confidence was tested when eczema affected her face, but she began to find peace with it. "I used to get really anxious when it flared up on my face," she says. However, with the support of her family and friends, she’s slowly learning to accept her skin and feel more confident in her own body which to me is very visible. Thalia from freshman year will be very proud of Thalia and how she's become the utmost incredible and confident version of herself.

What is eczema?

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation, redness, itching, and irritation of the skin. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Eczema often occurs when the skin’s barrier is weakened, allowing irritants and allergens to penetrate more easily.

There are several types of eczema, but Thalia’s symptoms seem to align most closely with atopic dermatitis. This form of eczema typically starts in childhood and can cause severe flare-ups, with symptoms worsening over time. Some of the common triggers for atopic dermatitis include dry air, stress, certain foods, and harsh soaps or chemicals.

Treatment for eczema often includes moisturizing regularly, using topical steroids, and avoiding known irritants. In Thalia’s case, she’s learned to manage her eczema with a combination of skincare routines, medications, and lifestyle adjustments.

Thalia's message: Surrounding yourself with love

Thalia’s advice is grounded in her own journey, shaped by trial and error, but also by the importance of self-acceptance.

“Advice I would give is to experiment with multiple creams, start off with a small patch of skin, and if that creates a flare-up, try something new,” she shares. “That’s how I was able to find something that would help soothe my flare-ups, and even now I have 5 different creams that I have yet to work, but I’m still trying and experimenting.”

I couldn’t help but admire her persistence. I’ve never had to put that much thought into my skin, so hearing how Thalia takes the time to find what works for her really puts things into perspective.

She continues, “I would also like to add, don’t let it socially affect you. Of course, it’s easy to get self-conscious about it, especially in your teenage years. But if you find the right people to surround yourself around, they will help you and not make you more insecure about it.” I think back to my own experiences—how easy it is to just blend in without thinking about the toll skin conditions like eczema take on someone’s confidence. Thalia’s words remind me how powerful support systems can be.

“My friends and family are constantly looking out for me and do little things to make sure I’m okay, those are the type of people you should be around,” she adds. It made me realize how much I took my own support system for granted. Everyone needs that kind of positive energy, and it’s something I’ve always had without even considering it.

As Thalia continues her journey of self-acceptance, it’s clear that while eczema may have shaped her life, it won’t define her. Her story is one of resilience, and in the end, she’s teaching us all that real strength comes from embracing who you are, no matter the obstacles.

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