In hindsight, my symptoms started in September 2024. I was so tired—just completely exhausted. I was 22, working full-time on the operations team for a company that managed boat shows. I was a workaholic; that’s what fueled me. I was super healthy and worked out regularly. I told myself, “My job is really demanding right now. That’s why I’m tired. That’s why I’m not feeling like myself.”

I had really bad itching—specifically my shoulders were really itchy, to the point where I would cry and scratch my skin until it bled. I’ve always had sensitive skin, so when I started itching profusely, I thought, “Something I’m using is giving me this reaction.” I started ruling out all my skincare products, my laundry detergent. I cut out foods. When it started getting cold outside, I said, “It’s the

See Full Page