As a Black woman with eczema, Raelle had many honest discussions to get to where she is today: feeling confident in her own skin. To continue to encourage her honest conversations and inspire her confidence among others living with eczema, she founded Woke Within, a blog with the mission to increase online representation about eczema among people of color.
“Using the term ‘awake’ is really an expression of our cultural adage of being ‘awake,’ ‘remaining alert,’ or aware of external problems in the world,” says Raelle. “Eczema is often seen as only an external problem, so we wanted to highlight that what we recognize within ourselves is just as important, if not more important, than the physical aspects. That's why we added 'Woke Within' to focus on the internal organs or tissues, including the surface of the skin. It helps me understand the world more emotionally, mentally, and physically.”
Now she uses her platform to spread her 'wake up from within' philosophy across the internet, but her story begins long before she saw eczema as a tool to stay in touch with her body.
How the Internet Shaped Her Eczema Story
Growing up, Raelle saw her eczema as something to be ashamed of, something to run away from, something to hide. She writhed quietly, hoping no one would notice the rash on her body or the flakes of her skin she left on her chair.
Her friends and family supported her however they could, but they could never truly understand what Raelle was going through. This was where the internet was connected. Online, Raelle was able to see eczema symptoms through social media and online resources, which made her feel less isolated.
“[M]“Thanks to my online network of eczema friends and support through the National Eczema Association, my confidence has skyrocketed and my feelings and emotions about the condition have been confirmed,” says Raelle.
Why she changed the reason for her awakening in her mind to shame.
As her support system grew and Raelle learned more about eczema, her outlook on the skin condition she had tried so hard to hide began to change. She let go of the shame she felt because of her eczema and began to see it as part of her own story.
The way she understands eczema has also changed. Instead of seeing her eczema as a purely physical condition, she learned (or woke up to) how her eczema was a direct response to what was happening inside her body. So she began focusing on taking care of her own physical, emotional and mental health, realizing that if she didn't, she was more likely to develop external signs in the form of eczema on her skin.
“My mindset surrounding eczema has changed tremendously,” says Raelle. “I see eczema as an assistant that alerts me that I need to pay attention to my health or make some adjustments to my daily routine so that I can have a better quality of life now and in the future.”
Why eczema expression is important
Raelle's online friends not only helped her feel seen, but they also shared what types of treatments and tests were available, so Raelle had a better idea of what type of care she needed.
“As a Black woman, my medical experience will always look different,” Raelle says. “If I look functional, they won't inquire further about my problem. In my experience, if you don't have my photo or proof, [eczema’s] “When the severity is high, all treatment options are often not shared with me.”
Now Raelle has learned to advocate for herself at the hospital. Based on her information and research, she makes her appointments and tells her doctor what works for her and what options she might want to try.
“Collaborating with your doctor involves sharing the facts about your symptoms, but it should also be a conversation between two people who respect each other,” says Raelle. “Some doctors will welcome hearing your perspective and give you options surrounding what you want, which is what you want to stick to.”
At Woke Within, Raelle was able to speak freely about not only her own eczema journey, but also her lived experience of the injustices she faces as a person of color. It became a space where she could speak confidently about any issues that interested her.
“WokeWithin was developed to share much of what I have researched and gained knowledge about, but ultimately to never forget my ‘why’ and the heartfelt reasons that have gotten me through the chapters of my life,” Woke Within’s page reads. Yes.
Ultimately, Raelle hopes to show people that eczema is more than a physical discomfort or illness. Eczema can have lifelong impacts, from where you live to your career choices, while also normalizing it for others who suffer from it.
“The misconception I had about eczema was that it was something to be ashamed of,” says Raelle. “The right people for you will always show compassion and a desire to serve your needs so you can heal.” And that's what being awake is all about.