Shreya Dalvi’s Personal Story

When I was a kid, my eczema was really bad. I had it year-round, but it especially flared up during the Texas summer heat. I had rashes all over my arms and behind my knees, and not only was it uncomfortable, it was embarrassing too. From first grade all the way through fifth grade, I wore long sleeves almost every day, even when it was hot outside. There was this one jean jacket I wore constantly just to hide my rashes.

At the time, I genuinely thought something was wrong with me. No one around me had rashes on their arms or legs, and I felt different in a way I didn’t know how to explain. I remember feeling like an alien or like I had some weird sickness that no one else understood. Looking back, it wasn’t just about how uncomfortable it was, it was also the emotional impact of constantly feeling insecure and self-conscious at such a young age.

One memory that still sticks with me is from after a hot shower. Hot water always made my eczema worse, and that day my skin felt unbearably itchy. I knew I wasn’t supposed to scratch because it only made things worse, but I was a kid and I felt so overwhelmed. Instead of using my nails, I grabbed a towel and rubbed my skin way too hard. My arms ended up irritated and bruised, and I remember feeling angry more than anything. Eczema wasn’t just painful, it made me frustrated and helpless, and it was really hard to manage those feelings at such a young age.

It wasn’t until fifth grade that I finally wore a skirt without leggings underneath. By then, my eczema had started to get better, probably just because I was growing up. Even so, that moment felt huge to me. It was the first time I felt comfortable enough to stop hiding my skin.

Now, my eczema only flares up occasionally, usually when it’s extremely hot, when I sweat too much, or when I use products that aren’t suited for my skin. While I’m grateful it’s more manageable now, the insecurity I felt as a child didn’t disappear overnight. In some ways, it stayed with me and shaped how I saw myself. Living with eczema taught me how deeply skin conditions can affect someone beyond what’s visible. It’s why I care so much about awareness and representation. Even one shared story can make someone feel less alone, and I want to help create that feeling for others who are still going through what I once did.