Personal Note

What do Bonnie and Clyde, Al Capone, Frank Lucas, and our skin have in common? They are all pretty badass!

You might be wondering why I included skin, but if you think about it skin is truly the biggest badass around. Our skin can endure some amazing things. We pierce it, inject poison (hello botox) into it, paint it, bleach it, tan it, apply layers of makeup, tattoo it, wax it, pluck it, stretch it, have objects pass through it, cut it open, stitch it back up, pass judgment on it, and the list goes on and on. Skin is so badass, we’ve turned it into a multibillion-dollar industry because we are so invested in it. After all it is the largest organ of the body and the first thing you notice when meeting someone. Lets face it our skin defines us whether we want it to or not.

We live in a visually stimulating world where human skin is glamorized to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Think about it, in every society there is a certain standard of beauty that most (not all) are looking to achieve. Having flawless skin. So what happens when you don’t?

Welcome to Itchin Since ’87. A blog that highlights my skin condition called atopic dermatitis
(aka chronic eczema). So what exactly is eczema? The literal definition is inflamed skin. It is
a vicious itch-scratch-rash cycle. Eczema has a catch me if you can vibe. It outsmarts medicine and travels 1st class spreading to different parts of the body.

Now what’s eczema really like?

Picture a heroin addict that thinks bugs are crawling on them… only worse. Perhaps rolling around in a field of poison ivy. Try to imagine putting clothes on made out of itching power. Possibly being at a 5 star restaurant except you’re the meal and the guests are a swarm of mosquitos. Or envision jumping into a pool filled with acid, because sometimes eczema burns. A bit graphic I know but this my friends, is eczema.

If only curing eczema was as simple as Pennsatucky (Orange Is the New Black s1 ep10) preaching, “The Lorrrrrd is speaking to me right now and he is gonna heel you of the eczema.” But its not, #Eczemaiscomplicated.

My vision for this blog is simple. Just enjoy it. My stories may have you doubled over in laughter because you can relate, or crying because it’s all too familiar. Maybe you just find my blog intriguing. Either way, just enjoy it. Hell, you might even gain some knowledge.

Most importantly, for those that are suffering from a skin condition or disease please know YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Millions of us are all too familiar with the emotional and psychological damage it can cause. 

So if you or someone you know has a skin disease or condition you’ve come to the right place.

Let this blog be your medicine.

Enjoy.

A

https://youtu.be/17wEh3yoiO8

13 thoughts on “Personal Note

  1. The very first comment was 9/2022, the 2nd and third from 2018, then one 2017, 2016 and several from 2015. Are you still blogging? Can you tell us what lotion or cream you use which gives moisture into your skin? My GP (can only see my dermatologist once a yr. or have to pay exorbitantly), says I need more moisture in my skin. He recommended a couple kinds OTC. I’m 82 and have been itching for several years now.My GP is young but seems knowledgable AND consults with the dermatologist! I’m on a steroid liquid for two weeks. The first week seemed not different, but this week small patches are healing (heel is the back end of the foot). Again, what are the creams you use to moisten the skin?

  2. Had eczema all over since 1954. Measles fever burned out the worst of it then Cort-dome scripts until puberty, when calmed down. But now at 68, has returned to my hands and arms with a vengeance, since pandemic purifiers. The itch is the worst

  3. I have been itching since 1965. I developed eczema after at course of injections from the hospital (according to my mum). Was in skin hospital twice, once when I was 2 with not many memories of that episode, then again at aged 9. I have has all of the types of eczema ever listed; dry flaky skin, weeping skin, puss-ridden, dyshidrotic dermatitis (pompholyx) and impetigo (not eczema). I was prescribed steroid creams for years, emollient baths and petroleum-based moisturisers. Got to the age of 33 with managing via these methods, had my business go into liquidation and got hit with the worst case of eczema ever – took me 45 minutes to get dressed, scrubbing the dead skin off, applying moisturisers and then bandages so the cream wouldn’t get on my clothes. Got so sick of it after a visit to a dermatologist who said it was the most severe case he has seen – this was on a good day! I thought to myself ‘I cannot go on living like this’ not in a end-it-all way, but in a fighting way. I became a qualified nutritionist about 10 years previous to this episode and decided I needed a mid-course correction. I saw a PDF on the net written by a fellow sufferer – think her name was Janet – decided to pay the $27 even though I knew I would know what her answers would be. Followed it and in tow weeks I was completely free of my lifelong adversary! Lost some fat in the process. Just wish I could find that link again…..

    1. Hi Rich,

      Thanks so much for sharing your story. Also, YESSS if you could find that link I would literally do a backflip to see why this has worked.

      I’m so sorry to hear about your eczema and I’m happy that you’re talking about it. I always feel like I’m the oldest one with eczema since so many people hide it.

      Interesting that you were diagnosed at age two, that was the same age as myself when I got it…

  4. Hi Cara!
    I used to watch you singing on youtube, but had not seen you in a long time…I’m sorry, I didn’t know that you were going through this.
    You always look beautiful!!!
    I was looking around online today, March 17, 2018, for your music and couldn’t find anything more recent…I miss your singing!!!
    I was wondering that since you are a talented singer and have written a book about your health, have you thought about writing songs and doing more singing?
    I can’t find you on facebook, so I started searching for your website(s) and that’s how I found this current blog.
    I do look forward to seeing you and hearing your beautiful voice and I’ve been listening to you explaining about your health and the personal details and photos, documenting your journey through all of this.
    I just purchased your new book and am waiting for it to be delivered next week.

    I wish you all the best!
    Take care!
    Tracy

    1. Hi Susan,

      Awwww, haha. Yes, eczema is a crazy skin condition!!! Happy you’re enjoying my blog!

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