Q: When do you start to have that obvious skin issue on your body?
A: At my first year of university, about 2 years ago. I don’t know what is the correct name for my skin issue. Different doctors give me different names. But I think it is kind of a skin rash.
Q: How does that happen? What triggers it?
A: It happened all in a sudden. Firstly, it started around my neck area and stayed there for a pretty long time. I thought it was just a normal allergy that would gone quickly. But no, not at all! It expanded, to the upper part of my body. Later there was a time of a crazy outbreak which was possibly caused by pressure. My skin went bumpy and left very obvious red dots around my chest. I couldn’t help.
Q: How do you control and manage it?
A: My uncle introduces me to a traditional Chinese doctor. He is really nice which makes me feel better and comfortable enough to depend on him and the medicine he gives to me. I can tell his medicine works out because the rash stops to expand. However, the rash is a chronic disease, like a cold. It will relapse if I loose my attention. I now stay away from seafood, mangoes and pineapple.’
Q: Will the rash affect your mental state? For example, will it give you extra psychological baggage?
A: For sure. I was in a terrible rage everyday. I felt angry about myself. Also during that time, I was afraid to wear revealing clothes, like tank tops. However, it was not a serious mental issue for me after I overcame it. Those scars and red dots on my body were no longer my shame and not the thing that keep me away from wearing tank tops.
Q: How did you overcome it?
A: I overcame it when I didn’t see it disgusting. When the rash is getting well, scars will become light in colour little by little. They are still there but look more acceptable.
-CCH
Love Your skin 