Senior Kaylee Wilson looks down at little red bumps that cover her body. Resisting the urge to scratch, Wilson grabs a bottle from the cabinet and quickly slathers the medicated lotion on to her irritated skin. She lets out a sigh of relief as the burning sensation cools.

“I wish there was a way to make it all go away,” Wilson said. “I would never wish eczema on anybody.”

For three years Wilson has suffered because of eczema; a chronic skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes as well as the blistering or peeling of the skin. The common place for a flair up occurs on the inside of the knees, elbows, neck, hands and feet. Wilson’s rashes appear on her neck, stomach, chest, legs, arms and ears.

“I felt self conscious for a little while,” Wilson said. “But now having eczema does not bother me as much. I learned to deal with the emotions within myself.”

Doctors have not discovered what causes eczema yet, but do know that the disease may run in the family. More than 10 percent of the general population suffers from the non contagious disease. Doctors believe colds, flu, stress, dry skin, exposure to water and fragrances or dyes added to skin lotions or soaps are some of the things that can worsen eczema. In order to prevent her flare ups, Wilson had to alter her daily routine. She can not wear itchy clothes, wash her hands too much, must apply lotion after every shower and put on a medicated cream throughout the day.

“I accept the fact that I have eczema,” Wilson said. “Having eczema has made me more aware of my body and makes me take better care of myself.”

At nine years old, sophomore Maddie Schimming was diagnosed with scoliosis when her doctor noticed an abnormal curve in her spine.

“I try not to let having scoliosis make make me sad,” Schimming said. “When I was going through treatment I was very scared but now I feel proud of what I have overcome.”

To stop her scoliosis from worsening Schimming had to wear a back brace for eight months of her seventh grade year. The brace did not reverse the curve, but applied pressure to help straighten the spine. Schimming chose the brace over a surgical treatment that fuses the bones back together. In this procedure the bones are held together by one or two metal rods attached with hooks and screws until the bones heal.

“Even though scoliosis is sometimes not noticeable more than likely someone around you that has scoliosis,” Schimming said. “People would make fun of me for my back brace without realizing how much it would hurt my feelings.”

Neither scoliosis nor eczema are curable. Medicines ,such as topical medications, photo-therapy and systemic treatments, can help relieve the effects of eczema.

“If I could go back in time and cure scoliosis I wouldn’t. By wearing a brace and going through everything else I have become who I am today,” Schimming said. “I thank God that I have been able to become more confident and break out of my social bubble.”