Great article, I can relate so much! I have eczema, and while I was in high school it was really bad, with my hands having perpetual open bloody sores all over them.

People noticed, and asked me why my hands were like that. When I explained I had eczema, they offered their own crazy skin care ideas. Truth is I was under the care of a doctor, who was giving me medical advice. Even more annoying, was hearing people who had less extreme eczema give me really stupid advice for them that worked.

I remember one time being with a friend while a stranger asked me what was wrong with my hands. When I explained I had eczema, my friend said to me "I have that too! but now I just use a little lotion after a shower and it's fine. Have you considered using a little lotion sometimes?" Dude I was on this crazy regiment, I would soak my hands in Vaseline overnight, apply medical ointment in the morning, mostiruize 6 times a day, and take pills to reduce my chance of infection. I didn't even shower, instead I took baths to avoid getting my hands wet for more than a couple minutes. But it was so easy for her.

Eventually, so many strangers offered me home-remedies for my eczema I started compiling them in a book. Some of them were helpful, and I think people were trying to help. But it did feel like I was being judged for something they knew nothing about and didn't understand, that was beyond my control.

As a fat woman, who follow a strict diet and exercise regiment, I also feel like I am constantly judged no matter how healthy my lifestyle is. As my lipedema progresses, my doctors offer no support, just that I need to continue to exercise and diet even though it's been proven that won't stop this disorder from ruining my metabolism causing me to continue to gain weight. People often offer un-solicited diet advice to me which is super annoying. I have failed morally for being fat, even though I literally I have a medical diagnosis stating this is a medical thinking happening to me, it's not my fault.