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The Shape of Skin
Slightly quirky, definitely a bit weird. These poems came from a life of trying to make sense of a limiting skin condition. They cover childhood eczema, the pain and discomfort, learning to accept your skin and work out how to heal. I take my inspiration from lived experiences, nature, landscapes and the everyday challenges of living with eczema and topical steroid withdrawal. Writing these poems made me itchy and comes with a serious scratch warning!
137 pages, Paperback
Published March 25, 2021
About the author
Ruth Holroyd
3 books5 followersAuthor and poet, Ruth has written a self help book for those living with life threatening allergies and anaphylaxis called 'Anaphylaxis: The Essential Guide: An Action Plan For Living With Life-Threatening Allergies.
Her second book, The Shape of Skin, a collection of poems for people with eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and sensitive skin. It's an intimate look at skin conditions, from the incessant itch to body image and a love affair with the largest organ in the body.
Ruth writes award winning blog What Allergy? https://www.whatallergy.com, to help others make sense of this frustrating, terrifying and life limiting condition.
She has spoken at numerous events, from lobbying parliament at the Houses of Parliament, the Allergy Show, EEACI, the BSACI and corporate conferences to educate medical and industry professionals what it’s really like living with life threatening allergies.
She is a regular judge and tester for the FreeFrom Food Awards, SkinCare and Eating Out Awards.
She is now an advocate of selfcare, relaxation and mindfulness and practises yoga and meditation regularly as a way of living with extreme anxiety and panic attacks. She is also a member of a running club and runs the crazy out at least four times a week. She loves reading, writing, country walks and relaxing in her garden with a cup of tea and freefrom cake!
She works as a freelance marketeer and copywriter.
Follow here:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whatallergy/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whatallergy
Twitter - https://twitter.com/WhatAllergy
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthholroyd/
Her second book, The Shape of Skin, a collection of poems for people with eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and sensitive skin. It's an intimate look at skin conditions, from the incessant itch to body image and a love affair with the largest organ in the body.
Ruth writes award winning blog What Allergy? https://www.whatallergy.com, to help others make sense of this frustrating, terrifying and life limiting condition.
She has spoken at numerous events, from lobbying parliament at the Houses of Parliament, the Allergy Show, EEACI, the BSACI and corporate conferences to educate medical and industry professionals what it’s really like living with life threatening allergies.
She is a regular judge and tester for the FreeFrom Food Awards, SkinCare and Eating Out Awards.
She is now an advocate of selfcare, relaxation and mindfulness and practises yoga and meditation regularly as a way of living with extreme anxiety and panic attacks. She is also a member of a running club and runs the crazy out at least four times a week. She loves reading, writing, country walks and relaxing in her garden with a cup of tea and freefrom cake!
She works as a freelance marketeer and copywriter.
Follow here:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whatallergy/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whatallergy
Twitter - https://twitter.com/WhatAllergy
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthholroyd/
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 12, 2021
I cannot get over how beautiful and relatable Ruth's poems are. I suffered from chronic skin conditions for over twenty-five years, first eczema, then TSW, and it was as if the poems were speaking to me. A must read from a very talented writer.
January 12, 2022
Ruth has an amazing gift with words. This is a heartfelt collection of poems documenting her life dealing with allergies. Sometimes funny and sometimes shocking it’s a real honest insight to the impact allergies can have.
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October 29, 2021This is my first book of poetry and I'm so grateful to my friends who encouraged me to share them. They are a collection of strange, quirky, funny and sometimes dark, painful and heartbreaking poems from a lifetime living with a chronic skin condition.
This book is perfect for anyone with eczema, psoriasis, sensitive skin or atopic dermatititis an even those who don't. It's an intimate insight into the pain, suffering and daily trials that will be an eye opening to anyone who has normal skin.
And you will feel seen, understood and find so much that resonates if you do have eczema.
Please buy this book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/183842001...
Or request a signed copy on my blog https://whatallergy.com/the-shape-of-...
Some reader reviews:
“Poems to make you empathise, laugh and cry. Fabulous book.” Emma
The Shape of Skin - poetry for eczema
“Relatable, honest and raw.” This is truly a project of love and you will have emotions reading it.” Amy
“These are bloody amazing – pun intended…” Sean Dillnutt
Nothing has ever hit so hard. “This book was so overwhelming because it was as if someone finally understood how I felt, and it also meant I was not alone in these feelings. Thank you for sharing this with the world and thank you for being so honest x” Shona
Share the love, explore the world of words and poetry. Even if you don't think you like poetry, this book could surprise you!
This book is perfect for anyone with eczema, psoriasis, sensitive skin or atopic dermatititis an even those who don't. It's an intimate insight into the pain, suffering and daily trials that will be an eye opening to anyone who has normal skin.
And you will feel seen, understood and find so much that resonates if you do have eczema.
Please buy this book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/183842001...
Or request a signed copy on my blog https://whatallergy.com/the-shape-of-...
Some reader reviews:
“Poems to make you empathise, laugh and cry. Fabulous book.” Emma
The Shape of Skin - poetry for eczema
“Relatable, honest and raw.” This is truly a project of love and you will have emotions reading it.” Amy
“These are bloody amazing – pun intended…” Sean Dillnutt
Nothing has ever hit so hard. “This book was so overwhelming because it was as if someone finally understood how I felt, and it also meant I was not alone in these feelings. Thank you for sharing this with the world and thank you for being so honest x” Shona
Share the love, explore the world of words and poetry. Even if you don't think you like poetry, this book could surprise you!
September 22, 2021
We lucky ones take our skin for granted, submitting it to the glare of the sun and forgetting to moisturise it. So this wonderful anthology is a real eye-opener for me.
The harsh poems of the first two sections with the underlying violence of pain hardly concealed beneath the surface are an awakening : it makes it easier to understand the "battle cry" of the "warriors" in their struggle for healing. The embodiment of TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal) as a lover breaking off an affair is heartbreakingly brilliant, leaving her "battered and bruised" and then the final section expressing the search for healing and peace is beautifully written.
Ruth has real talent and a sensitivity "à fleur de peau" as we say in French. I shall go on dipping into this collection of such varied poems for a long time, re-reading favourites and discovering new ones.
The harsh poems of the first two sections with the underlying violence of pain hardly concealed beneath the surface are an awakening : it makes it easier to understand the "battle cry" of the "warriors" in their struggle for healing. The embodiment of TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal) as a lover breaking off an affair is heartbreakingly brilliant, leaving her "battered and bruised" and then the final section expressing the search for healing and peace is beautifully written.
Ruth has real talent and a sensitivity "à fleur de peau" as we say in French. I shall go on dipping into this collection of such varied poems for a long time, re-reading favourites and discovering new ones.
January 20, 2023
Wow! These poems are so thoughtful and well-written. A must-read for anyone who is suffering from problem skin. Ruth's words are raw and emotive, my eyes were wet reading them! Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews