I recently travelled to Croatia as someone with a rare skin condition (EI Ichthyosis). This was my first time travelling on my own with my partner abroad, so it was an incredibly nerve-wracking experience.
It started at the airport – I was asked to take off my jacket at security and the airport staff’s eyes widened at the skin on my arms. It can appear dry, red and flaky, and so I just smiled at them with reassurance. There’s always a nagging voice in my mind that they may think I’m contagious or medically unfit to fly. All went smoothly and I was patted down quite gingerly, and I breathed the biggest sigh of relief when I was on the other side. I know most people experience intense anxiety when at security, but when you look a little bit different, this anxiety is heightened.
Now that I’m home, I realise that I let my insecurities about my skin condition initially get the better of me – and that’s okay.
When I arrived, I found it difficult to shed my habit of wearing longer sleeves. I’m a confident person, but despite that, I still was wary of any comments or looks that I may get. So, I got around Croatia by bus, and due to how packed the buses would get I covered my arms to curtail any comments or stares. I did have a few – an American man was staring openly at my neck, which was cracked and sore at the time, and his eyes flickered away each time I caught his stare. It made me shrug my jacket onto my shoulders a little more.
However, the warmer it got, the less I began to care. My skin began to thrive in the Croatian climate in comparison to the UK weather. I ditched the jacket. Despite that, I felt like the pinkest person on the beach, and I could tell that people were wondering if I was sunburnt, and felt judged, despite slathering myself in factor 50.
Going into the sea was a huge achievement for Rhiannon
Eventually, with support from my partner, I was helped to get in the sea. I loved every minute. My mind was telling me that everyone would be looking at me on the short walk to the shore, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. When I realised that everyone else is so concerned with having fun and enjoying themselves, and not sparing me a second thought, I felt my chest loosen and I was able to really start enjoying myself.
Now that I’m home, I realise that I let my insecurities about my skin condition initially get the better of me – and that’s okay. I was in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by new people, and I was out of my comfort zone. I’ve now learned that quite simply, nobody cares. Nobody is looking at you as much as you think they are. All I needed to do was ditch the jacket, fill my belly with some great food, and get stuck in with everyone else – because I have every right to!
