Hopiaface

I've been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis last Monday. Since I've started on my medication, the skin on my face hasn't stopped flaking uncontrollably. What started as 'just dry skin' is now a life(style)-altering, confidence-wrecking chronic condition. By chronic I meant I'll probably have it for the REST OF MY LIFE, now and then resolving and recurring in varying severity. My derma assured me that it wasn't an infection and that it's fairly common. She's probably trying to make me feel better, right? I mean, if the skin around your nose and mouth turns red and flakes, wouldn't you get depressed?

Ang dami namang pwedeng tubuan, mukha pa! At gitnang-gitna! When I talk to my co-employees I would cover half my face. I'm too self-conscious to let them stare at my hopia face. I remember my sister having the same condition when we were kids. Big deal, she had it on the soles of her feet! Well good for her really, her condition resolved a few years back and seem to have taken a long vacation leave. I hope mine just took a wrong turn and landed on my face.

Basically, seborrheic dermatitis affects parts of the skin - you guessed it - laden with oil glands. It affects 3-5% of the population and is more common in men (how lucky can I get?) Its causes and triggers are unknown (there are a few theories) and medication is geared towards symptom management and controlling the frequency of flare-ups. In short, there's no known cure. Cute. Pimples na lang sana!

Aside from my nearly depleted bank account, the effects of this condition is more complex than how my derma sums it up. I'm an emotional wreck right now, not to mention my self-confidence hitting its all time low. I know it's not infectious, but the stigma is starting to get to me.

Eh kung mag ala-Phantom of the Opera kaya ako? Darnit.