Alexis Smith, 27, is the picture of confidence. She’s a solo traveler, an Instagram influencer, and a regular ambassador in the eczema community. She’s even designed a clothing line to make sure you know that “hot girls have eczema,” to quote one of the T-shirts.
It took a long time to get here.
“Middle school was tough. Age 12 isn’t a fantastic time to have a rash covering your whole face,” Smith told Health.
Smith received a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, as a pre-teen. Since then, she’s learned a lot about what it means to both give and receive meaningful support.
What’s the one thing you wish you knew before being diagnosed with atopic dermatitis?
Alexis Smith: After all these years, I wish I knew that most people don’t actually care about my eczema, even if they come across as judgmental at first.
I’ve learned that when people don’t understand something, they can react poorly. A rash can make someone say, “Ew.” But I realized that’s a chance to educate. I show people my skin now because the next time they meet someone with eczema, maybe it won’t be a big deal anymore. They’ll remember that lovely lady they previously met who had it!
How have your triggers changed over time?
Smith: The first trigger I remember was a necklace—it caused a rash on my neck that ultimately led to my atopic dermatitis diagnosis in middle school. But sun exposure has been the biggest trigger in the last five years. A flare usually starts as a dry spot and gets worse from scratching. Moisturizers can make it worse; my flares sometimes feel physically hot and more irritated after applying them.
What do you wish you knew sooner about the treatments that work for you?
Smith: I didn’t realize I was experiencing topical steroid withdrawal until the end of it. When you’ve been using a steroid cream every day for years and then stop, your body and your skin freak out. But I’d decided it was time to stop the steroid cream. My medications had stopped working, and I didn’t want to keep escalating to stronger ones. I knew my topical steroids weren’t long-term solutions—they were just masking symptoms.
When I told my dermatologist that I wanted a change, he wagged his finger at me and said I just wanted “instant gratification.” I was 17 and left that appointment in tears. My mom said we weren’t going back.
Eventually, I started self-treating. My dad, who’s a physical therapist, introduced me to red light therapy. He used it for wound healing, and I began using it during flare-ups. I even got a Planet Fitness membership just for their red light booths. Now, I use a red light wand and mask at home—daily or every other day when things are bad.
What have you learned about traveling frequently with eczema?
Smith: I have to pack an arsenal. I hate overpacking, but I always need my flare-up essentials. I bring my red light wand, coconut oil (which I use more for makeup removal than treatment), my own soap, and sometimes a full long-sleeve/pant pajama set if I’ve been irritated. Tencel fabric has been a game-changer. Hotels with scented detergents or soaps are the worst for my skin.
Where have you found sources of support?
Smith: My mom has always been there for me. Still, I wish I had known the online support community existed sooner. I finally encountered it in 2016 when I created an Instagram account that showcases my eczema. I was in a dark place. I had a flare all over my face from my topical steroid withdrawal. I hated that an external condition was affecting me internally so much.
At first, I felt like a hypocrite telling people to be confident when I wasn’t. But the repetition of posting selfies with my eczema visible, as well as the positive feedback, helped me realize I looked good.
People would DM me saying they wore shorts or a tank top for the first time because of my posts. That blew my mind. I wasn’t even doing those things myself yet, but I was inspiring others to feel free in their skin.
Learning about the National Eczema Association was a huge help, too. Their website contains a lot of research that I hadn’t found when looking up my condition myself. They found me through Instagram, tagged me, and invited me to their annual expos.
