For Juan, living with acne keloidalis nuchae has affected more than how he feels about his scalp. In this chapter of The Bumpinator, he describes the small, everyday adjustments he makes around other people and why being able to embrace his son freely matters most.
When Even a Greeting Takes Thought
A hug should be an ordinary gesture. For Juan, it can become a moment of hesitation. He describes how someone approaching to embrace him makes him immediately conscious of the back of his head and neck.
He also recalls trying to choose where to sit and how those decisions might be misunderstood by someone with him. His account shows how the condition can shape interactions that others may barely notice.
What He Wants to Change
When asked what it would mean to have the condition gone, Juan says it has “held me back in a lot of different ways.” He imagines the relief as “a weight off my back,” then adds, “literally.”
His hopes are specific. He wants to put his hair up, carry his son, and play with him without having to think about the affected area first. These are the moments he uses to explain what meaningful change would look like in his own life.
The Hug He Wants to Accept Without Hesitation
Juan says his son runs toward him and wants to wrap his arms around his neck. Because of the scalp condition, Juan instinctively moves his son’s arms down before embracing him. The affection remains, but he has to interrupt the gesture.
“It would be nice to have that feeling of my son hugging me,” he says. His words place the focus on something simple and deeply personal: being able to receive that embrace without first adjusting it.
Caption: The chapter connects Juan’s account of holding his son with his reflections on how the condition has held him back.
Juan has not described a treatment outcome in this chapter. His story continues with the hope that ordinary moments with his family will become easier.
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Medical Disclaimer
This article shares one person’s experience for educational purposes only. Individual cases and treatment outcomes vary. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Further Reading
- https://dru.com/juan-acne-keloidalis-nuchae-family-limitations/
- Umar S, Khanna R. Papular acne keloidalis nuchae treatment success using follicular unit excision. JAAD Case Rep. 2023 Jul 25;39:96-100. doi: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2023.07.013. PMID: 37621307; PMCID: PMC10445098.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10904000/
