Lifestyle /
Coping With Skin Issues
Skin Problems such as Acne, Rosacea, and Eczema Can Be Embarrassing in a Society that Prizes Healthy, Fair Skin.
Men and women who suffer from skin discrepancies are prone to ridicule, social stigma and, often, a loss of confidence leading to depression. I was diagnosed with rosacea in September 2013. During that summer, I recall travelling back to Singapore to visit childhood friends just days after I had been accepted to the PhD program that I'm presently enrolled in. I'll never forget the funny looks and questions I got from the flight attendant asking me why my skin was so red. As a child, I would blush easily but I didn't realize these were early symptoms of rosacea.
Some of you may be unfamiliar with the disease. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that makes sufferers prone to facial redness, small and superficial dilated blood vessels, swelling, and pus-filled pimples. If left untreated, the disease can even reach sensitive areas of your face, like the eyes and nose, deforming their shape. There are many triggers for this disease, including extreme heat and cold, alcohol, stress and an unhealthy diet. When I was diagnosed, I had no restrictions on what I ate and drank. I was stressed because of the uncertainty of where my career was going and the doctors offered no help except countless antibiotics and medication. These treatments could briefly numb the nerves and hide the redness that I had to cover with lots of make-up, making my skin more unhealthy and taking away its natural glow.
Before: With Samita Nandy in 2013 — in the beginning stages of rosacea
Being from a South Asian (Indian) family and being in my mid-20s, I faced a constant pressure of “recovering” from a disease that I was told by the doctors I couldn’t be cured from. My family members offered natural home remedies such as aloe vera gel to counter the redness. Feeling pressured, I did use them and made strange combinations that eventually led to a severe allergic reaction, causing my skin to turn red extremely painful, with an unstoppable drainage of pus and crusting over my face, leaving me unable to function in a daily routine due to low blood pressure. The condition became so much worse that I was put on prednisol, a steroid, to help my skin recover. That’s when I realized that if I wanted to fight this disease, it had to be from inside out. I committed and never looked back.
After: a recent photo of mine in 2015
Below are my suggestions for coping with skin issues.
Be Open About Your Emotions
Skin issues like acne, rosacea and eczema can cause us to feel stressed, isolated and embarrassed. Be open about your emotions to your loved ones and support system. They will be your strength and will motivate you on your recovery and path to success. Also, these diseases are usually due to a certain lack of nutrients or a weak autoimmune system and they can be controlled if you take care of these causes.
Be Positive That, One Day, It Will Be Under Control
Change comes from within. While this sounds cliché, your attitude will keep you committed to bringing change into your life. The more positive you are that, one day, it will be under control, the more you will be naturally inclined to keep on trying until the disease is under control.
Raw, Organic, Healthy Juices Are The Way To Go!
As I was coping with the disease, I came across Joe Cross’s documentary called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead (2010) and its sequel, which was released in 2014. Cross was suffering from a disease that led to chronic hives, which were essentially red rashes on his skin because of his weak autoimmune system. He turned his life around and went on a mission to promote juicing. Both these films are worth watching. He encourages people to reboot their systems with a healthy dose of vegetables and fruits, and I realized that in South or Southeast Asian countries, we have raw, natural organic juices available to us in juice corners everywhere, yet this is something we take for granted. It made sense for him to promote the juice in North America, where the diet is mostly composed of meat and starches and where people don't want to eat fruits and vegetables. As a result, I began to supplement my diet with two fresh juices a day. Here is one recipe I came across for glowing skin from Mind, Body, Green. If you don’t have the time to get a juicer, I recommend a home-grown Canadian brand called Pulp and Press. Although the juices cost about $8 each and are on the costlier end of the spectrum, they have delicious combinations and are cold-pressed. They offer delivery all over Ontario and are worth every sip! Within days of drinking, I was getting compliments on my skin, and since then, I have had no breakouts.
Take Your Vitamins and Pro-Biotics
I take one pro-biotic pill daily along with one women's daily multivitamin to counteract the antibiotic I'm on. While I was on this antibiotic for the past two years, I didn't realize that it was eating away the good bacteria that was present in my gut. Taking pro-biotic pills and vitamins has played a key role in transforming my skin and has made it much better. I have had no flares since I began this routine and I plan to remain committed to it for the rest of my life!
Feature Image Source: edesibabes.com
Blog Images: courtesy of Nidhi Shrivastava
Nidhi Shrivastava
Author
Nidhi Shrivastava (@shnidhi) is a Ph.D. candidate in the English department at Western University and works as an adjunct professor in at Sacred Heart University. She holds double masters in South Asian Studies and Women's Studies. Her research focuses on Hindi film cinema, censorship, the figure o...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
