In a world like the one we live in, it would be crazy to think that a skin condition could be a small thing, or just nonsense.
In an era Instagram and dozens of other applications that highlight the own promotion, it is difficult to accept the idea that skin diseases are secondary problems.
On the contrary, the skin is the visible persona in us. It is our calling card, our apparent way. Our avatar.
Without a doubt the challenge only becomes greater. In addition to the discomfort that a patient with urticaria already feels with themselves – having to deal with constant symptoms, intense itching and treatments that often fail – they also have to remember the discomfort they bring to other people. YES, people get upset when they see you covered in hives.
If you live with hives you know what I'm talking about. You have certainly faced questions, prejudiced looks, a “slight” departure from some people and hundreds of comments about what you could try.
Urticaria is not such a pleasant thing to see. And you yourself, as a sufferer of hives, must be upset by your own symptoms. That look in the mirror, the attempt to disguise as much as possible, or to cancel appointments so as not to have to appear like this: all of this to avoid being looked at!
If we are going to think about this embarrassment caused by skin diseases, we just have to imagine the nature of the world and people, who for a number of centuries have been drawing conclusions about everything and everyone through their appearance. Your skin tone, the way you dress, the way you present yourself... the world has these things. And that is absolutely exhausting.
But it can be even more dangerous when this judgment doesn't just come from outside, but when we ourselves reinforce this idea, making our skin condition the summary of us. It's true that the skin is the largest organ in the human body, and feeling good about it is a completely legitimate defense, but for us, you must be much more than a bunch of nettles.
Think about yourself. Who are you. The things you like to do. Your dreams and worldview.
None of this is shown by your skin. None of this can be captured by anyone looking at you. These things are more important than your symptoms and define you more than this week's UAS7.
It's interesting to think about a skin that depresses and often lies about who we are. Which brings packaging a little different from what we would like to present to our friends.
But what I can tell, looking at my own experience over the years of living with hives, is that the people who truly love us will understand that this is not all about who we are.
The overvaluation of what we see is embedded in our daily lives and people are quite ready to believe it, but you certainly have a chronically incredible story, which may even pass through your skin – at first – but which will never fit. just in this appearance.
After all, Antoine De Saint-Exupéry would say, in the beloved classic The Little Prince:
"The essential is invisible to the eyes."
And still good.
To learn more, check out this video:
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