CIU and My Imagination

In 2019, I was diagnosed with a skin condition called Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) and angioedema that put my life on pause. For nearly three years, I suffered from relentless hives and facial swelling that wouldn't go away. Doctors explained that my hives were autoimmune in nature and my immune system was attacking my own body, triggering the constant outbreaks.

But this wasn't just a few itchy hives. Most people have no idea how life-altering this disease can be. My entire body from head to toe was covered with hives. New hives would appear before the previous ones had disappeared, like an endless game of whack-a-mole. As each hive emerged, the surrounding skin felt intensely hot, both to the touch and beneath the surface. My body felt like an active volcano, with hives erupting like streams of lava. Some days, the swelling was so deep it caused bruising, and the relentless itching made me want to tear off my skin. I couldn't sit comfortably, walk, or even lie in bed. I was prescribed high doses of antihistamines, immunosuppressants, cortisone, and steroids, but nothing brought me relief. After years of pain and countless treatments, I finally found a combination that worked for me: the immunosuppressive injection Xolair, a low-histamine diet, and a commitment to healthy living.

Unfortunately, there is still a stigma surrounding skin conditions and "imperfect" skin. People's reactions could be deeply hurtful in a society obsessed with flawless complexions. But when I looked at myself, I was amused. Maybe it was a creative in me or all the drugs I was taking, but I would get lost in a magical world that the shapes, swelling, and formations of my hives brought me every day. Never mind the humor I found every morning waking up to different facial features. Some days it would be great lips; some days, it would look like plastic surgery gone wrong.

So I turned the photos I took for my doctor into the fun, creative world in my head. Through this work, I hope to raise awareness of CIU, challenge the stigma surrounding visible skin conditions, and bring a smile to others living with this disease.