Coping with a skin condition

Coping with a skin condition

One of the hardest things about having a skin condition is the uncertainty around how bad it might get. It’s a feeling I am very familiar with, having had vitiligo since I was 3 years old.

Our skin is amazing; it is the body's largest organ and the protector of everything that works inside of us. Following this, skin conditions are also fascinating. Some of the most common skin conditions in the UK are eczema, acne, dermatitis and psoriasis. Acne is particularly common amongst teenagers with approximately 50% of all teens suffering with the condition.

Whilst vitiligo isn’t a common skin condition, it is highly visible and can severely impact a person's confidence, mental health and psychological wellbeing. It affects between 1% & 2 % of the world's population and can affect anyone at any time.

Managing a skin condition can be difficult and you are definitely not alone when doing so. Here are my top 3 insights into what may help you if you’ve been newly diagnosed…

It’s okay to feel confused

Accepting that you have a skin condition isn’t easy, especially if it’s unexpected. When I realised that I had vitiligo in my early teens (before then I hadn’t registered that I was different), I spent many moments feeling upset and questioned why I had developed the condition. Part of me felt like I’d been punished. Feeling negative is a very natural response. It’s okay to be secretly praying that it goes away and it’s okay to shed a few tears. This is something new to you and it takes time

to understand and recognise what it might

mean for you moving forward.

Take your time

This is so important! Someone who has had a skin condition for many years is likely to be more accepting than someone at the beginning of their skin condition journey. I’ve had vitiligo since I was 3 years old and had to do some work on improving my mindset and practising what it meant to feel positive about who I was with vitiligo….but it took time and having that time to accept something like this is necessary and so precious.

There are so many great influencers on social media openly embracing a skin condition that they have. This is both positive and inspiring, but don’t feel as though you have to aspire to be like that. Self-acceptance should be your only priority and this takes time...and you are allowed all the time you need to accept and feel comfortable with who you are. Do things at your own pace...not anyone else’s. ⁣

Support

Finding a support network where there are people you can relate to is vital. For me, discovering a community of vitiligans on Instagram meant that I could reach out to people who had experienced a life similar to mine and who understood how I felt.

Being part of a group that you have something in common with, not only allows you to learn, but also connects you with supportive people who can help during stressful times and who can prevent you from feeling alone during any ‘down’ moments. Friends and family who know you well and who you can trust are equally important to your support network.

⁣Lastly, if self-acceptance is your ultimate goal, make a commitment to yourself that you’ll get there in your own time….because you will! Follow your own lead.....and reach out for help along the way...⁣