Mikayla Matthews remains unfazed by critics as she confronts chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) both publicly and privately.
“To those dismissing it as mere ‘rashes’ or underestimating the profound mental and physical impact severe skin conditions can inflict, these issues can utterly devastate your quality of life, erode your will to live, and leave enduring scars on every facet of your existence,” Matthews, 25, expressed on Instagram this past Wednesday, May 20. Her remarks were a direct response to detractors belittling her health challenges.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star shared a poignant video documenting her skin condition’s progression over the last four years, featuring images of breakouts on her neck, arms, and back, as well as swelling around her eyes.
Mikayla Matthews Instagram/mikayla__matt
“Reflecting on these videos is incredibly triggering, yet they serve as a powerful reminder that healing is attainable,” Matthews added. “I vividly recall hitting rock bottom both mentally and physically due to my health, and I would have given anything to be in the place I am today. For that, I am immensely grateful for the progress and ongoing recovery 🙏🏼.”
Matthews’ latest video contribution comes as part of the trending “drag path” phenomenon on social media, where individuals highlight significant or traumatic experiences that have created a lasting impact on their lives.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Mikayla Matthews is officially on island time after moving to Hawaii amid her health journey. “Travel with me to heal my skin!” Matthews, 26, captioned an Instagram video on Wednesday, April 29, in which she revealed she was leaving Utah for Hawaii while continuing her search for “healing.” […]
“A drag path … but it’s the 4 years of joy and time with my kids I was robbed of going through debilitating chronic illness,” Matthews wrote over the video showing her highs and lows with CIRS.
CIRS is an “innate immune dysregulation” involving “a range of symptoms that simultaneously [affect] multiple organ systems,” according to the National Library of Medicine.
Mikayla Matthews Instagram/mikayla__matt
Matthews, for her part, has been vocal about her health condition since her life as a Mormon wife in Utah was thrust into the spotlight on season 1 of the Hulu series in 2024.
Earlier this year, Matthews began traveling to different locations in the U.S. in hopes of healing her skin, telling her Instagram followers in April that she was “terrified” of returning to her home state of Utah after feeling relief in California and Costa Rica that spring.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Mikayla Matthews has been open about her ongoing chronic illness battle. Matthews revealed that she was dealing with several unidentified health issues during the 2024 inaugural season of the hit Hulu reality TV series. At the time, Matthews had not received an official diagnosis. “[I] haven’t found any […]
Matthews explained on April 22 that after being away from home for a month, she felt “a little more normal without these flares.”
She broke down in her Instagram video, discussing how she’s “just surviving” in Utah, whereas she was actually “living” in the more tropical locations.
Mikayla Matthews in Hawaii. Courtesy of Mikayla Matthews/Instagram
Matthews plans to go to Europe later this year for a “detox retreat” and has offered to take one fan who also suffers from a skin condition along with her, all expenses paid.
For now, the reality star is living in Hawaii to “heal my skin.” Last month, Matthews documented her journey to Maui, bringing along two of her and husband Jace Terry’s four kids for the temporary stay.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Mikayla Matthews has a lot more to say about Taylor Frankie Paul calling her out as a “snake friend.” “Could probably write a book on everything I’ve had to say on this. Nothing I said denied that she’s experienced pain, trauma, or difficult things, there’s literally no question […]
On May 16, which was day 15 of her Hawaii healing journey, Terry, 31, flew to the island with their other two children for a family reunion.
“Finding peace😇 @waikoloabeachmarriott,” Matthews wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, May 19, sharing pictures of her family back together and enjoying their time by the beach.