Jennie: Morphea

I was sitting in class one day in the seventh grade, and a boy next to me looked at me and loudly exclaimed, "What is on your neck?!" I had no idea what he was talking about until I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I saw a large patch of white skin on my neck. I was so scared and embarrassed that I did not tell anyone.

Since then I always wore my hair down to hide it. It was a month later when my mom saw it. She immediately took me to the doctor. The first doctor had no idea what it was and recommended a dermatologist. That doctor diagnosed me with morphea.

I have spent six years with an ugly white rash on my neck. During those six years, the doctor experimented with different treatments including tetracycline, cortisone, both topical and injection, pimecrolimus cream, and he even tried a laser removal.

The worst part of these six years has been the effect that it has had on my self-esteem. I can barely go a week without someone asking me what's wrong with my neck.

It is so embarrassing. I always keep my hair long and try to hide it. I hate it and I wish it would go away.