MY LOVE STORY

About 12 years ago, I was experiencing skin irritation that was getting worse no matter what I tried. I became insecure about my skin. During the summer months, I avoided wearing short skirts, shorts, and swimsuit. I couldn’t continue to live like this, and I decided to have a discussion with my doctor. During my appointment, I expressed aggravation, frustration, and embarrassment.  After expressing my concerns, I allowed my provider to see my scars. Up until this point, no one else on the outside world was able to see this area.  Around my upper thighs, my skin was dry, flaky, hard, and scaly. She stated that it was beyond her expertise and referred me to a dermatologist. During my first consultation with my dermatologist, I received a diagnosis of eczema.  She prescribed steroid and a cream. The diagnosis of eczema did not settle well with me and I decided to seek a second opinion. I remembered clear as day. I expressed my concern with the second dermatologist. The dermatologist looked at both thighs scratched his head and responded, “hmm, I think this looks more like skin disease”. I responded, “skin disease?”  At that moment, many things were crossing my mind, especially cancer. At the end of the appointment, I received a prescription for a different type of steroid cream. As a nurse, I understood the side effects of steroids. The risks outweigh the benefits, but in my situation, I couldn’t wrap my mind to understand that I needed to take a steroid for this diagnosis.  I decided to take matters into my own hands.

With a background in scientific research, I started to explore Mother Nature had to offer. I came across naturally occurring plants with healing properties already given to us. I learned about shea butter, cocoa butter, and various oils. I took the time to study their properties and purposes. Once I had a better understanding of the natural ingredients, I started to create my own cream and oil. Instantly, I saw a natural shine on my skin and less itchiness. I continued to apply the cream and oil twice a day sometimes three times a day. My flaky, itchy, scaly skin started to improve and over time, my skin started to heal. I was extremely pleased. I was no longer scratching my skin until it bled. I was satisfied with my skin and I had a boost of confidence. I was able to enjoy my summers with summer clothes attire. 

I came across another challenge, I noticed a dry and scaly patchy skin on my daughter’s left elbow. My head started to spin. I started to have flashbacks of my skin irritation.  I told myself, “nope this is not happening, not my daughter”.  I decided to make my daughter her own cream. Many of you may ask, why not use my cream that I have been using.  During this time, my daughter was about 10 months old. I did not want to take any chances of an allergic reaction or worsening of the condition.  My product contained shea butter which has nuts and other oils that came from the nut family. I approached my daughter’s cream on a more sensitive approach with minimal fragrance. I went with a natural scent or added a couple drops of lavender.  I applied the cream twice or three times a day on my daughter’s skin focusing on the dry and scaly patch. The dry patch started to clear up and then it disappeared. I learned how to manage eczema and prevent flare-ups.