Kristina Schulman Posts Vulnerable Video About Her Journey With a Skin Condition

For people with chronic skin conditions or chronic illness symptoms that manifest on their skin, it can be difficult to get others to understand how much this can interrupt their day. It’s not just “blemishes” that will go away and not come back, and the visible redness may be painful.

In an Instagram post last Thursday, Kristina Schulman, who appeared on “The Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise,” shared that she has perioral dermatitis. The Cleveland Clinic writes that “perioral (periorificial) dermatitis is a red rash that circles your mouth” and “some people report that perioral dermatitis itches or burns.” It mostly affects young women.

Schulman wrote on Instagram that she was sharing her experience to help bring visibility to this condition. “While I know I am not alone in this or with this condition (which is very tricky to treat since triggers are different for each individual) I hope we can create a community where we can openly share our journey and success stories,” she wrote. In the video accompanying her post, Schulman showed how perioral dermatitis on her face got better and then worsened in different points since she was diagnosed in May 2019.

 

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A post shared by KRISTINA SCHULMAN (@kristinaschulman)

Treatment for perioral dermatitis worked for Schulman for a couple of months, including removing dairy and gluten from her diet. Schulman shared that she will see a dermatologist, and also implemented the following in her life to try and manage her condition.

I kept up with my dietary changes, introduced an anti-inflammatory diet, I eliminated SLS products, I wash my sheets with Hypoallergenic detergent, I wash my makeup brushes & eliminated makeup products that I sensed may have caused my flare ups, I reserved to using only a gentle cleanser, light moisturizer, and occasional Aquaphor mask… but here we are, still struggling with random flare ups that hurt, itch, burn, feel very dry and tight⁣.

The decision to share her experience was also challenging for Schulman. “For the past few days I stayed quiet and off social media in hopes that I’ll reach [a] mental state where I can share my skins journey + progress — that progress hasn’t come… just yet,” she wrote. Despite feeling defeated, she decided to open up for those struggling like her.