For years, I had these little red, itchy bumps around my nose that would come and go. They would eventually disappear on their own, but they always seemed to linger for weeks or even months.
I assumed it was just irritated skin or acne.
So, I did what I thought made sense. I exfoliated. I tried products that dried my skin out. I experimented with different skincare routines, hoping something would finally make it go away.
Looking back, I was doing exactly the wrong things.
Recently, I decided it was time to stop guessing and make an appointment with a dermatologist. After examining my skin, I learned I have periorificial dermatitis.
Just having a diagnosis was a relief.
Instead of throwing random products at the problem, I finally had a treatment plan designed for what was actually going on.
But this experience reminded me of something much bigger.
When I was younger, I rarely went to the doctor. I assumed that if something wasn’t life-threatening, it would eventually work itself out.
Sometimes it did.
Sometimes it didn’t.
What I realize now is that there’s a difference between being patient with your body and simply accepting discomfort because you’ve gotten used to it.
You don’t have to normalize something just because you’ve lived with it for a long time.
That doesn’t mean every symptom has a simple answer. It doesn’t mean every condition has a quick fix. But it does mean:
- ✓You deserve to ask questions.
- ✓You deserve to understand what’s happening in your body.
- ✓If something doesn’t feel right, you deserve to seek answers instead of assuming, “This is just how it’s always going to be.”
This experience also reminded me why I’m so passionate about health and wellness.
Not because I have all the answers.
I don’t.
I’m still learning every single day.
Every experience teaches me something new, and every question I ask brings me one step closer to understanding how to better care for my body.
That’s why I enjoy researching, learning, and sharing what I discover along the way. If something I learn encourages even one person to ask a question they might not have asked otherwise, then sharing my journey is worth it.
Thank you for following my journey.
I don’t have all the answers, but I hope that by sharing what I’m learning, you’ll feel encouraged to stay curious, ask questions, and become your own best advocate for your health.
