Skip to main content
Close Close

Congratulations
You're on the list.

Make sure to check your spam folder so that our emails are always delivered into your inbox.
xo, Kourt
Give your inbox
and your life

the Poosh it needs.
By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Free Shipping on All Domestic Orders.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KKB
Poosh
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
Why You Should Elevate Your Legs for 20 Minutes a Day
Why You Should Elevate Your Legs for 20 Minutes a Day
Weird Dreams? These are the Most Common Culprits
Weird Dreams? These are the Most Common Culprits
What Is Shadow Work and How Do I Start It?
What Is Shadow Work and How Do I Start It?
What To Avoid When You’re Newly Dating Someone
What To Avoid When You’re Newly Dating Someone
3 Ways Bondage Can Bring You Closer Together
3 Ways Bondage Can Bring You Closer Together
5-Minute Wake-Up Pilates Routine
5-Minute Wake-Up Pilates Routine
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
You’re Giving Compliments Wrong
You’re Giving Compliments Wrong
How to get Naturally Plump Lips in Minutes
How to get Naturally Plump Lips in Minutes
We’re Loving Latte Makeup for Fall—Here are the 3 Must-Have Products You Need For It
We’re Loving Latte Makeup for Fall—Here are the 3 Must-Have Products You Need For It
How To Keep Your Tan After Summer, According to Jennifer Lopez’s Spray Tan Artist
How To Keep Your Tan After Summer, According to Jennifer Lopez’s Spray Tan Artist
Kendall’s Stylist Shares Her 5 Must-Know Fall Fashion Trends
Kendall’s Stylist Shares Her 5 Must-Know Fall Fashion Trends
The Body Cream That Transformed my Skin
The Body Cream That Transformed my Skin
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
Apple Nachos Are the Perfect Fall Snack
Apple Nachos Are the Perfect Fall Snack
Stacey Bendet’s Ginger Tea Recipe 
Stacey Bendet’s Ginger Tea Recipe 
Chef K’s Vegan Churros with Vegan Chocolate Ganache
Chef K’s Vegan Churros with Vegan Chocolate Ganache
3 Minimal-Effort Recipes To Bring to a Labor Day Party
3 Minimal-Effort Recipes To Bring to a Labor Day Party
Kourt’s Favorite Egg Salad Salad
Kourt’s Favorite Egg Salad Salad
Chef K’s Mini Matcha Magpies
Chef K’s Mini Matcha Magpies
  • family
  • kourtney
Kourt’s New Weekly Tea Rotation During Her Pregnancy
Kourt’s New Weekly Tea Rotation During Her Pregnancy
Kourt’s First-Trimester Tips
Kourt’s First-Trimester Tips
5 Things To Know About Kourt’s New-ish Wellness Practice: Brain Mapping
5 Things To Know About Kourt’s New-ish Wellness Practice: Brain Mapping
Kourt’s Top Pregnancy Snacks
Kourt’s Top Pregnancy Snacks
Why Panchakarma is Kourt’s Holy Grail Detox
Why Panchakarma is Kourt’s Holy Grail Detox
How Last Weekend’s Gender Reveal Party Came Together in Less Than 48 Hours
How Last Weekend’s Gender Reveal Party Came Together in Less Than 48 Hours
What are you looking for?

Menu

  • Shop
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • KKB
    • family
    • kourtney
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
beauty

My Life with  EXTREME ECZEMA

By Alex Omenski
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @alexomenski
@alexomenski

I’m Alex, and I’m 15 years old. My aunt, Michelle, is the managing editor at Poosh and asked me if I’d be willing to share my journey with eczema. So here it is!

I have struggled with severe eczema since I was born. There’s never really been a time when I wasn’t struggling with it. Eczema is a condition that makes your skin incredibly itchy and inflamed, and it can look like a rash. Over 31 million Americans have some form of eczema. I have a severe form that I continue to struggle with. While many people grow out of their eczema, I never did. Ahead, I’m sharing treatments I’ve tried throughout the years as well as photos so Poosh readers can see the ups and downs of my flare-ups and to bring comfort to those who might also be dealing with sensitive skin issues.

baby with Eczema in crib
@alexomenski
baby with Eczema under eyes
@alexomenski

I’ve tried almost every treatment that there is. I’ve tried light therapy, bleach baths, wet wraps, and I was even on a medication that’s used to treat some kinds of cancers. The first treatment that I can remember doing is light therapy when I was about 5. I would stand in what looked like a tanning bed for a few minutes each week. Luckily, my aunt Michelle would take me to most of these sessions, and she’d comfort me by playing fun music to help the time pass. These machines use UVB light to reduce itching, calm inflammation, increase vitamin D production, and increase bacteria-fighting systems in the skin. I did this for about six months.

Eczema on hands
@alexomenski

The treatment that I remember doing for the longest is a medication called Methotrexate. I was on this for about five years, and it was probably one of the most effective treatments that I’ve done. The reason I quit taking it is that it stopped being as effective and I would’ve had to get a liver biopsy to make sure that my liver was in good enough condition to increase my dosage.

In 2017, I went to a program at National Jewish Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. This was a major turning point in my journey with my skin. It was an intense two-week program where I went through allergy testing and various treatments. I still use all of the strategies that they gave me there (like the wet wraps and bath soaks), and they have continued to work years later. I also met new friends during the program who I still stay in touch with.

child in hospital for eczema treatment
@alexomenski

The below photos show six-week progress on Mometasone Furoate Ointment (the latest topical prescription I’m on), and consistent bath soaks followed by sleeping in overnight wet wraps (as needed).

severe eczema on arms
@alexomenski
severe eczema on arms after treatment
@alexomenski
severe eczema on legs
@alexomenski
severe eczema on legs after treatment
@alexomenski

Like most 15-year-olds, I love to play with makeup and experiment with different skincare products. The difference is, I have to be very careful with makeup and skincare brands that I use. I always have to look out for (and avoid) products with dyes, perfumes, and other irritants; otherwise, my skin flares and it’s difficult to get it back under control at times. Tower 28 is one of my favorite makeup brands because it’s directly approved by the National Eczema Association, so I can feel safe applying it to my skin.

girl in red blouse touching hair in photo
@alexomenski

Having eczema has taught me to be confident in myself. No matter how much I struggle with it and how frustrated I get, I always remember that it’s a significant part of who I am and always will be. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, who speak out about their struggles with skin conditions, have definitely helped me to be less self-conscious about my skin. Kim has been so open about her journey with psoriasis, and hearing her feel vulnerable makes me feel better. To anyone else who has problems with their skin, I would tell them to always be confident in themselves, and that they are not alone.

Shop some of my go-to products that work for my skin below.

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

You may also like...

Go to article Under $50 Must-Have Products for a Fall Glow-up
beauty

Under $50 Must-Have Products for a Fall Glow-up

Go to article Best Clean-ish Mascaras: I Put 5 Popular Ones to the Test 
beauty

Best Clean-ish Mascaras: I Put 5 Popular Ones to the Test 

Related Articles

Goes to article How to get Naturally Plump Lips in Minutes
beauty

How to get Naturally Plump Lips in Minutes

Goes to article We’re Loving Latte Makeup for Fall—Here are the 3 Must-Have Products You Need For It
beauty

We’re Loving Latte Makeup for Fall—Here are the 3 Must-Have Products You Need For It

Goes to article How To Keep Your Tan After Summer, According to Jennifer Lopez’s Spray Tan Artist
beauty

How To Keep Your Tan After Summer, According to Jennifer Lopez’s Spray Tan Artist

Goes to article The Body Cream That Transformed my Skin
beauty

The Body Cream That Transformed my Skin

Goes to article How To Make Your Hair Healthy Again After Summer
beauty

How To Make Your Hair Healthy Again After Summer

Goes to article How To Tell if a Product Is Causing Purging or a Breakout
beauty

How To Tell if a Product Is Causing Purging or a Breakout

Goes to article Meet the Lip Stain That’s Supposed to Peel Off
beauty

Meet the Lip Stain That’s Supposed to Peel Off

Goes to article Skin Barrier 101
beauty

Skin Barrier 101

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Allyant for Accessibility
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved