Hives act as a wall that forces you to rethink the possibilities in your daily life. You have to adapt to following a new rhythm, doing things in a different way.
Imagining my life without this barrier is like living a dream. Remember well the days I wake up without symptoms and my crazy desire to solve everything. Schedule facial cleaning, waxing. Even get your eyebrows done.
There is a severe limitation on days with hives and imagining a life outside of that is freedom, or simply: ordinary life, as it should be.
There is a great effort for the urticaria patient to lead their days naturally.
A class at the gym with some weights can cause pressure on the palm of the hand, a tighter shoe for a gala party will certainly cause edema on the sole of the foot. Have I mentioned the hassle of going shopping and having to bring bags?
These are natural and certainly necessary activities that can cause symptoms and worsen the skin condition of those living with hives.
A wish list and "all" a routine without my symptoms would be a real success!
It would pass through jeans with lycra, the metal buttons of the shorts touching my skin without using any adhesive to avoid contact. A very quick walk through the lingerie stores, as I wouldn't spend hours looking for bras with as little elastic as possible. I would have tight bracelets, earrings without plastic protection, and I would wear socks without them causing discomfort to my skin.
I would have buckled sandals, and even if they were tight on my feet, they wouldn't cause any edema.
I would finally clap without rushing after an incredible meeting, for the necessary minutes, without feeling my hand burn.
I could easily hold the bus and subway pole, I could schedule more hours of massage without leaving there completely covered in hives.
I would go back to Pilates classes, and dance ballet without any caution about the pressure of my feet on the floor and the need for wider shoes.
I would eat everything! And I wouldn't worry about any symptoms getting worse, after all, in this life I wouldn't have hives.
You could hold the scissors to cut your nails or do some crafts for as long as necessary, without injuries appearing between your fingers.
I would wear necklaces, caps, hats of all different types. I could be more comfortable on a sunny day.
I would shave my legs more often, which would lead me to wearing more skirts and shorts. I wouldn't hurt myself trying to relieve the crazy itch that comes up all the time.
I could play more sports, I would have more items of clothing at my disposal. I would be a woman a little more diligent in aesthetics. I would be less worried. I would have more time. I would have an ordinary life.
Imagining this list of possibilities gives a fantastic relief and makes us want to contemplate it as immediately as possible. But, there is something interesting about the limits that life imposes on us.
Limits make tasks more complex, but they make us more creative in our daily lives. They lead us to push our capacity for improvisation, for plan B.
In general, living my life with hives makes it impossible for me to make this list of to do's, but it made me design a new aspect for each of these needs to be lived.
Well, the needs will still be met. On a smaller level, for sure, but with the same life as it would have been.
Let's keep clapping and plucking our eyebrows! Even if in a different way and not in the same amount of time as I would really like.
The wish list is long, but looking at reality remains the best way to live.
For tips on how to live (still with the symptoms) check out this video:
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