Eczema??

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
J

jenjen1027

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Members do not see this ad.
I knew that my eczema kept me from doing a lot of things but I just realized today that it may keep me from being a dentist too. I know how to hide those red patches on my legs and arms but they are seriously everywhere, on my fingers and on my face too. I don't know how interviewers or patients would react to the patches of red on my face during my flareups or how much they resemble burns on my hands......

Does anyone know of successful dentists with these obvious physical "problems" for a lack of a better word?
 
I don't think a condition you can't control will effect your ability to be a dentist. Does it get bad enough where you can't wear gloves or hold anything?
 
I suffer from Eczema also. It has gotten better over the years but every now and then I get a dry patch on my fingers. Since your hands will be exposed to a lot of water as a dentist I suggest that you always keep moisturizer/eczema cream with you so you can apply it directly after you wash your hands to help relieve the dryness.
 
My eczema isn't so severe to the point that I can't hold anything, I'm more worried about how patients would perceive me as a dentist, would anyone want to be worked on by someone who constantly looks like they got punched in the eye? (I have a large red patch near my eye) I guess I'm just frustrated at how people see me due to my eczema.
 
You're the only one holding yourself back in this situation. The way you look will NOT impact your ability to be a dentist. And honestly, people will realize that some things (ie - eczema) will not be greatly impacting your ability to drill a tooth and do it well.

You just need to learn to not let it bother you, there will be some small-minded people who will ask/drop appointments/whatever and those are the people that you'll be better off not working on (they might be the annoying, supremely nit-picky people).

Just relax and apply. Eczema will not hold you back from acheiving your dream of being a dentist. Only you can do that.

The way you look will NOT impact your interview in the slightest.
 
have you seen a doctor or dermatologist? They give out cream that makes it look better. I get it on my elbows but when I put the cream on it it makes it almost unnoticable. Hell, you could run a google search and I bet some of that stuff could do wonders.
 
👍
jenjen1027 said:
I knew that my eczema kept me from doing a lot of things but I just realized today that it may keep me from being a dentist too. I know how to hide those red patches on my legs and arms but they are seriously everywhere, on my fingers and on my face too. I don't know how interviewers or patients would react to the patches of red on my face during my flareups or how much they resemble burns on my hands......

Does anyone know of successful dentists with these obvious physical "problems" for a lack of a better word?
Click to expand...



Hi there,
Even my 6 month old baby has had eczema n i've been strugling to get rid off it.well ,tried couple of things even hydrocortisone too........nothing really works for him except CUREL LOTION.
so,just wanna to tell u see if it works for u too...

good luck
 
beannaithe said:
You're the only one holding yourself back in this situation. The way you look will NOT impact your ability to be a dentist. And honestly, people will realize that some things (ie - eczema) will not be greatly impacting your ability to drill a tooth and do it well.

You just need to learn to not let it bother you, there will be some small-minded people who will ask/drop appointments/whatever and those are the people that you'll be better off not working on (they might be the annoying, supremely nit-picky people).

Just relax and apply. Eczema will not hold you back from acheiving your dream of being a dentist. Only you can do that.

The way you look will NOT impact your interview in the slightest.
Click to expand...

Beannaithe hit it on the head IMO. Only you can hold yourself back from a situation like this. You wanna talk about how people perceive you...I have Tourette Syndrome (granted, not as bad as you see on TV) and I got into dental school. Don't let it bother you, but I understand why you are concerned.
 
Its a very real concern, perception means a lot...especially in the interview. I would be upfront about it (if the condition is noticeable on interview day), explain the situation. It is a medical condition, one that technically should not hinder your ability to perform the tasks you will be asked to perform. Ideally speaking it would be discriminatory for an interview committee to bar you from attending a school due to exczema and you would like to think that it wouldn't happen. Good luck
 
Thanks for the support, I have tried those corticosteroid creams but with eczema being extremely adaptive I've gone through so many different kinds that it's hard to keep track of anymore.

Thanks for the headsup Shaha, I hope your baby will grow out of the eczema. I've had it since high school, now I'm 18 and still praying that I'll grow out of it like so many others.

I guess there's really nothing I can do to stop discrimination due to my eczema, I can explain myself all I want but it wouldn't really matter if the interview committee or patients don't listen, their loss I guess, at least that's the attitude I've adopted. 😳
 
1) Cetaphil
2) Nizoral Shampoo
3) Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo
4) Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements
 
burton117 said:
1) Cetaphil
2) Nizoral Shampoo
3) Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo
4) Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements
Click to expand...

1) Using it
2) I have no problems with my scalp, it's all on my limbs
3) See above
4) Taking it

Thanks for your suggestions though. 🙂 I appreciate it.
 
I've had eczema my whole life, it is such an annoyance. The thing I find that helps the most for me is to make sure I am drinking lots of water, and Eucerin lotion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top