While some medical conditions might appear mild to some, they can be life-threatening for others, with something as simple as a small wound potentially becoming a serious health risk.
Mathilda’s experience is a testament to this reality. She recounted her ordeal to ABC Science, sharing how a mere split lip almost cost her her life.
During her school years, Mathilda faced isolation because classmates mistakenly thought her condition was contagious, leading her to distance herself socially.
Diagnosed with eczema at the age of two, Mathilda vividly recalled her mother regularly applying lotion to her skin.
Eczema is a prevalent skin condition characterized by dryness, inflammation, and itching.
The condition’s impact ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain and debilitation, depending on the individual.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, eczema results from a compromised skin barrier, leaving the skin vulnerable to irritants and allergens.
Mathilda’s life was dominated by this condition, and at one point, it almost claimed her life.
Her mother explored numerous treatments, including oatmeal and bleach baths, cryotherapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, herbal remedies, and prescribed corticosteroid creams.
Eventually, she tried immunosuppressants, which the National Eczema Association describes as halting the itch cycle by reducing eczema symptoms.
However, Mathilda faced a series of infections while on this medication, culminating in a life-threatening situation.
Reflecting on the treatment, she noted: “They seemed to help initially but I ended up having so many infections because it was a generalized immunosuppressant.”
Mathilda described how her skin would become inflamed, leading her to scratch it, causing it to crack.
These cracks allowed staph infections to enter, including one from a crack at the corner of her lip that nearly proved fatal.
She recounted: “I had a crack in the corner of my lip and staph got in there, and it quickly found its way to my bloodstream. And so I ended up with septicemia and I went straight to hospital.”
If staph bacteria manage to enter the bloodstream, they can cause severe blood infections, potentially resulting in organ failure.
Mathilda revealed that her chances of survival were grim, prompting the hospital to envelop her in corticosteroid creams and bandages.
Reflecting on family visits during this critical time, Mathilda described it as a ‘pivotal moment’ that pushed her to explore new interests.
She discovered a passion for climbing, which ultimately led her to meet her husband before their marriage in 2021.
Today, Mathilda uses a targeted immunosuppressant that manages her symptoms, though she still carries moisturizer everywhere she goes.