Living With Visible Scars: Choosing Not to Hide

My body has had a year.

Back in November 2025, I had COVID for the second time. Per my dermatologist, this time it “whacked out” my system. It triggered a staph infection that caused hives to appear all over my legs and arms. Which have scarred.

Until a few weeks ago, it was easy to cover them up. But now, welcome to summer. Shorts, tank tops, and sandals. It’s not possible to hide anymore and honestly, I don’t feel like it.

I went through multiple rounds of antibiotics. And because I also have eczema, the number of creams and ointments I use daily is ridiculous. I have three just for my feet! My first thought: On top of hot flashes and brain fog, now I have to deal with a skin rebellion? Also, I think I’m single-handedly keeping big pharma in business.

A few weeks ago, when the weather started to break, I pulled out my maxi dresses. The scarring on my arms is more easily concealed but it’s front and center on my legs. I’ve always loved dresses—year-round. They’re so easy to put on and go. Plus, they’re pretty. But I don’t want to spend my entire summer avoiding shorts and wearing dresses down to my ankles because—what? People may see my scars?

Here’s the thing, if people I don’t know see them, do I care? And if people I do know see them, they’re not judging. So what’s the problem?

At that realization, I would love to say that my body confidence was so strong I immediately put on shorts and strutted down the aisles of Giant. I did not. I did put on the shorts and I have left the house. But at first, it was tentative.

Last month, I was at my 7-year-old cousin’s baseball game. His 4-year-old sister was playing with other kids off the field. At a break in her sideline playing, she and I were talking and she said, “You have a lot of ‘bumps’ on your legs.” I said, “I do.” And she said, “Why do you have bumps on your legs?” And I said, “Because I was sick but now I’m ok.” She resumed playing with the other little girls. That was it.

As the weather got progressively warmer, I got braver. And now, I wear shorts and dresses that stop just below the knee. Not to mention, sleeveless tops—I mean, I do live in Maryland, so we’ve already had 90-degree days.

I have a cream to help fade the scars. I have been using it sparingly because honestly, I’ve reached the point where one, I don’t feel like putting on six-hundred creams to get dressed in the morning—and two, I really don’t notice the scars that much anymore. Yes, I’d rather I not have them. But truthfully, they’re bothering me less and less.

I just got back from Florida, the pools in my neighborhood opened last weekend, and I have a host of summer activities planned with family and friends. After spending the last several years in a corporate job that didn’t see me, I refuse to start hiding when I feel like I’m just starting to be seen.

As I was drafting this post, I came across a song about loving yourself and embracing your scars. It was so fitting. Unfortunately, it was AI-generated, but the message still landed.

My body carries me through a lot. Yesterday, I did a 1-mile run/walk for a 10k I’m training for with my brother and today, I’m sore. But it’s a gorgeous day, so later, I’ll be at the pool. Scars and all.

Are you living with outward-facing scars? How are you managing? I’d love to hear from you.

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