Hi, I'm Veronica, Scrachee's founder.
If I could go back to that day in the pediatrician's office, I don't think I would ask a different question.
I think I would ask a lot more of them.
Because the truth is, I never even thought to ask.
We were there for a routine wellness visit. I wasn't worried about my son's skin. I wasn't looking for answers. The patches were small. They didn't seem like a big deal.
Then the pediatrician looked at them and said,
"That's atopic dermatitis."
He gave us a cream. He explained how to use it. And we went on with our day.
Just like that.
Or at least, that's how it felt.
Every time a flare showed up, I reached for the cream. I applied it. Then we moved on. I never stopped to research. I never asked myself what eczema actually was. I never considered there might be more to learn because, to me, it seemed like a simple skin problem.
Looking back now, I realize it wasn't a lack of love.
It wasn't a lack of care.
It was a lack of curiosity.
I trusted one answer without giving myself the chance to learn more.
If I could say something to that version of myself today, it would be this.
You don't have to make quick decisions.
You don't have to pick a side.
You don't have to know everything today.
But give yourself permission to learn.
Read.
Ask questions.
Listen to different perspectives.
Keep an open mind.
Then decide what makes sense for you and your family.
Because when you're navigating eczema, you'll find opinions about everything. Some people will tell you medicine is the answer. Others will tell you to only go natural. Some will tell you to do more. Others will tell you to do less.
But none of those decisions have to come from fear.
They can come from knowledge.
And for me, that has been one of the greatest lessons of this journey.
Not following blindly.
Not rejecting blindly.
Learning.
Reflecting.
And then choosing.
With love,
Veronica