Atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is one of the most prevalent skin conditions globally, affecting over 230 million people worldwide.
It is often dismissed as “just a skin condition”, but it is more than itchy skin. It is a complex, multidimensional condition that impacts mental health, impacts daily life and places an immense burden on patients and caregivers.
To raise awareness of the impact and burden of this condition, we were truly honoured to host a discussion with two of our patient experts, Ashley Wall and Ruth Holroyd.
Watch the conversation here:
In the 45 minute interview chaired by Marie Ennis of Merakoi, we talked about:
- The language we use and words for eczema, atopic dermatitis and what that means to patients.
- We discussed where people can find trusted sources of information
- Shared Decision Making
- Digital Health
- The future of eczema skin care
- And more…
We could have talked for hours and it was a fantastic discussion. Click on the link below to watch:
World Atopic Eczema Day – Inside Atopic Eczema: More than “Just” a Skin Condition
Hopefully we’ll do more of these in the future!
What is atopic eczema?
Atopic eczema is one of the most prevalent skin conditions globally, affecting over 230 million people worldwide. It is often dismissed as “just a skin condition,” and patients’ needs are not addressed in a supportive and timely manner.
Atopic eczema – also known as atopic dermatitis (AD) – is more than itchy skin. It is a complex, multidimensional condition that impacts mental health, impacts daily life, and places an immense burden on patients and caregivers.
About Ashley Wall, Itchin since 87
Ashley Wall is a writer, consultant, and eczema patient advocate who’s battled this skin condition for three decades.
As an eczema warrior, she’s had the pleasure of speaking on stage in front of a pharmaceutical crowd of 300 industry leaders, interviewing celebrities such as BAFTA award winner Peter Moffat, and attending leading events through her advocacy work.
She’s extremely passionate about helping suffering patients and hopes to see eczema disappear within her lifetime.
About me! Ruth Holroyd, blogger and author
Ruth Holroyd is an author, blogger, and patient advocate.
She writes about allergies, anaphylaxis, asthma, eczema, and topical steroid withdrawal on her award-winning blog www.whatallergy.com.
She won the Free From Food Awards Hero Award 2021 and has written two books. ‘Anaphylaxis: The Essential Guide: An Action Plan For Living With Life-Threatening Allergies’ which focuses on anxiety and fear and how to live with the daily challenge of living with a life limiting condition.
Her second book, The Shape of Skin, is a poetry book for people with eczema, psoriasis and sensitive skin.
Who are Merakoi?
Merakoi are a wonderful organisation who I’m proud to have been working with now for about a year. They work in between the pharmaceutical companies and the patient – Enabling successful patient expert and healthcare company collaboration. The team are so friendly, welcoming and inclusive and I enjoy getting together every month with other patient advocates with other medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and Irritable Bowel Disease, to name just a few. I’ve worked with them on focus groups, helping their experts really understand the patient and their daily lived experience.
I wrote a blog for them last month entitled, How to get the most out of your dermatology appointment which I thoroughly enjoyed writing, and which could be applied to any patient anywhere with any medical condition. The idea being we all need to become experts in our own condition to advocate for the best care.
Get involved with World Eczema Day
If you want to get involved with raising awareness about World Eczema Day on Wednesday 14th September, visit https://www.efanet.org/campaigns/world-atopic-eczema-day/join
You can download a toolkit to help you with images and logos.
As part of our campaign to show the inside of atopic eczema they are calling on patients, carers, and healthcare professionals to join in by turning our clothes inside out to make atopic eczema visible. When people living with atopic eczema face itching and discomfort every day, even wearing clothes can become unbearable on their sensitive skin. We want to bring the community together and give attention to the everyday burden in our Inside Out action. I’m not sure I quite get this… but maybe I’ll do it on the day.
#InsideAtopicEczema
After reading Ashley Marie on eczema, I’m impressed by her determination to raise awareness and help others. Her personal experiences and tips provide valuable insights for anyone affected by eczema, making this blog post a must-read for those seeking support and understanding.
Ashley is a strong and formidable woman! It was great working with her. Thanks so much for your comment. Please keep supporting people with eczema and remember the mental health side of this condition. Please not also, as a derm, we really don’t like being given strong topical steroids as first line. as someone going through TSW it’s just taken 5 years of my life, however I am finally recovering now.