What’s Really Getting Under Your Skin? – Living with Eczema and other chronic skin conditions

ByNina

Living with eczema or chronic skin conditions goes beyond surface irritation. Discover the deeper emotional and spiritual meaning behind the phrase “under my skin” and how inner healing can support true skin health.

We’ve all heard (and probably used) the phrase “That really gets under my skin.” But have we ever stopped to think about where that expression comes from—or what it might actually be pointing to, especially for those of us living with eczema and chronic skin conditions?

Detailed texture of a decaying wooden surface with rustic elements.

The Deeper Meaning Behind the Phrase

According to Merriam-Webster, “under my skin” refers to something that causes irritation—or even obsession. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? For those of us with eczema, irritation is a daily reality.

But what if the phrase is more than just a coincidence? What if our skin is reflecting something deeper that’s bothering us—something emotional, mental, or even spiritual?

Our skin is the largest organ we have. It covers our entire body, connecting the outside world with our inner one. Could it be possible that the specific places we experience eczema flare-ups are actually trying to communicate something more profound?

Looking Beneath the Surface of Eczema

Many of us spend years trying to identify external triggers—foods, fabrics, detergents, weather. And while those factors certainly matter, what if we’re overlooking another layer entirely?

What if some of the most persistent irritants live within us—unresolved emotions, chronic stress, buried trauma?

Itching, for example, gives our brain a temporary “feel-good” release. In some ways, it becomes a form of self-soothing—addictive, even. But that relief is short-lived.

Scratching doesn’t get to the heart of the problem; it masks it. It’s like placing a bandage over something that really needs deep healing.

Instead of scratching at the surface, maybe what we really need is to feel the discomfort we’ve spent so long avoiding.

Getting Curious About What Irritates Us

One of the most powerful things we can ask ourselves is:

  • What’s actually bothering me right now?
  • What thoughts keep looping in my mind?
  • Where are they coming from?

This kind of self-inquiry isn’t easy. It takes courage to sit with discomfort rather than running from it. But facing the emotional and psychological roots of our pain may be the only true path to lasting healing for eczema and skin conditions.

For much of my life, I ran from my feelings. I suppressed them, buried them, ignored them—until they started to show up in my body.

What I’ve learned is this: no matter how hard we try to escape our emotions, they will always find a way to surface. Often, that “way” is through the skin.

It’s All Connected: Mind, Body, and Skin

We are conditioned to look outward when something feels wrong—blaming the food, the product, the environment, the people. But healing often begins when we start turning inward.

We can eliminate every allergen and still experience flare-ups. Why? Because the deeper causes—our internal irritants—haven’t been addressed.

Our bodies are not just a collection of separate parts. Everything works together—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual.

Yet in modern medicine, we often compartmentalize health issues instead of treating the whole person. That’s especially true with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and chronic rashes.

A New Perspective on Healing Eczema

True healing starts with seeing the bigger picture. That means addressing all aspects of ourselves—not just the visible symptoms.

The next time you notice your skin acting up, consider asking yourself:

What’s really getting under my skin right now?

You might be surprised by what comes to the surface.

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