Life is hard, but a painful chronic illness can make it unbearably harder. Yet some people live extraordinary lives despite the challenges that a lifelong disease may bring. Cristina Curp is a Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) warrior who put it in remission at 32 years of age after living with it since she was 13. She maintained a healthy diet and lifestyle to win her battle and is motivated to help others do the same.
Cristina wears many hats in her personal life as a military spouse, mother, body positive advocate, Latina, and a child of Cuban immigrants. None of which has stopped her from accomplishing extraordinary feats in her professional life. She’s a bestselling author of multiple cookbooks and a successful entrepreneur who has built a business on her love for cooking, writing, and helping others.
She is a functional nutrition therapy practitioner aspiring to make it easier for people relating to her struggle. She hopes to reach out to people who might be vulnerable and in need of love and support and remind them that they’re not alone. As a fierce advocate of much-needed research and debate on the subject, Cristina shares three things you should know about Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS).
It’s hard to diagnose
It took more than half of Cristina’s life to put the painful skin condition in remission. Most doctors would dismisingly tell her to lose weight without really understanding the problem and crushing a child’s spirit. The experience was traumatizing, mainly due to the stigmatized nature of the disease because of lack of awareness and research. Many doctor’s might not know what it is and will think it’s an infection, like MRSA. See a dermatologist.
It’s not rare
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) affects around 1-4 percent of the US population. It’s certainly not rare. The hush-hush attitude results in so many people having to deal with a common problem on their own without proper guidance and support. As an author, blogger, and influencer, Cristina is determined to change that. She uses her social media platform to spread awareness surrounding HS.
HS communities
The internet has done wonders in bringing people closer, especially those in dire need of communication. The Castaway Kitchen is a growing online community where Cristina helps people with autoimmune disease and, more specifically, with autoinflammatory skin condition Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) feel nourished and supported via educational content and creating delicious anti-inflammatory healing recipes.
As a vulnerable young girl, Cristina wished she had such support and guidance- it would have made life a lot easier for her. The Castaway Kitchen is her attempt to reach out to somebody in a similar situation and help them believe that a healthier and better life is possible and that they shouldn’t lose hope.
Combining deep nutritional knowledge with her exceptionally creative culinary skills, Cristina is motivated to help more people. She now plans her third book and launches the first of multiple condition-specific courses for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). You can join the community on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to be part of this healing journey.
