Anyway, :) Growing up I have always been cursed with acne and through my negative personal choices it has only developed into something worse. I have what is known as Hidradenitis Suppurativa, yes it has been confirmed by a doctor, and at first I didn't know what the heck it was except maybe bad genetics', and cystic acne. It started about the age of sixteen or so, right about the time I started smoking cigarettes, now I am not saying it is the sole cause of my horrific discomfort, BUT it is when I started to experience the change in my body. (Also research has shown that smoking does irritate the condition.) First it started with a bump in the middle of my chest, and grew for a few weeks in mass, then stayed dormant... then exploded. Figuratively, of course. ;) I still have the scar as a reminder. (which over time has reduced in size, due to lots of TLC)
Granted, my condition could be a lot worse, it's not nearly as bad as the photos you see in Google, images if you search the disease.Though still rather terrible to live with, the bumps themselves can be extremely painful, they can start out as normal pimple then gradually increase in hardness and size, then after however long it decides to "diminish" becomes soft with a soft point somewhere in the middle that usually is where puss or blood excrete. Mind you, if you have this issue, I sympathize but try not to squeeze anything it, will only make the scarring worse! Trust me, after almost 10 years of dealing with this, I know. Don't do it! Now I am not a professional in this matter what so ever, but I am keeping this blog to perhaps educate people who may have this issue and if anyone has any questions please feel free to email me. Ziggyru@gmail.com I will try to answer questions to the best of my personal experience. Since I think I've rambled quite enough I'll just make a few bullet point on what I have found to irritate the condition, and what basics I have found that help with subsiding the symptoms. *I'm sure I will update this the more I get a handle on my skin.
What irritates my skin:
- Smoking: I'm sure I don't have to go into how they are bad for ones body.
- Poor diet: eating a lot of greasy foods.
- Poor Hygiene: I think it's really important to keep clean even if you're not going anywhere.
- Depression: I'm not sure if there is a direct link but I notice when I am in a poor spot I break out more.
- Drinking habits: Alcoholic beverages are all in good fun but if you tend to drink heavily sometimes expect your skin to pay the price.
What helps:
- WATER: Drink a ton of water and you will notice you're skin improve drastically, and no it's not going to happen over night. So keep chugging, partner!
- Healthier eating habits: Duh, I probably don't have to tell you that eating greens and fruit are healthy for you. Though I just kind of did. >.> I noticed for myself, my body just runs better when eating better! Granted I know it's not easy to always do. I am definitely not a health "freak" but incorporating those yummies will make a difference.
- Certain skin products: I will go into detail in my next post about what kind of products, I use and how effective they are for me. (My next post if not published tomorrow, will probably have to wait until Monday as I have a camping trip this weekend. Wheee!)
- Drinking less coffee: I know this makes most of you sad. I absolutely adore coffee and was one of my main fluids of the day. Though, recently I was drinking it like it was going out of style, and indirectly noticed that my skin was breaking out more than usual. So I looked at what I was doing differently and realized my coffee consumption had skyrocketed with my ever occurring insomnia, so I cut back and noticed it has made a huge difference my skin feels more supple and is clearing a bit.
- Working out: I don't have to go into detail about how exercising is good for you but I will tell you it makes a world of difference. And for someone who has struggled with weight issues all my life I know it's hard to get that ball rolling. I've been off the band wagon for a couple years now until I recently decided to get off my rear and do something about it. You can do it too! Just keep at it and your hard work will pay off!
Ok I think this is all I have for now. Thanks for anyone who actually takes the time to read this. And hopefully I can help someone. :) I'll go play a video game or something, while I wait for my honey to wake up.
