Eczema imposes many restrictions on life, there are things we could not do as a family because of eczema and allergies.  We could not visit people with animals, we could not travel to hot, humid places, we could not go camping – the list is long.  I rejoiced in those more-or-less well bits in between, giving my all to life: to my children, my work, and to my ex-husband.

Living with a chronic condition impacts everyone in the family.  You have to be honest with yourself your skin is sick.  Even though I grew up with all the horrors of growing up with severe eczema in the 60s,  I honestly never considered how it would impact every aspect of my life.

Looking back,  I have a deep appreciation for my mother, who did the best she could with limited resources, she taught me to never let eczema define me.  I know my strengths, quirks and abilities that make me unique, and use them to pull through the rough patches. 

The best advice I have for patients are never deny the harsh reality of living with this condition, and be honest to yourself and your partner when you need help – especially with forming and maintaining those all-important relationships.  When you enter into a new intimate relationship, have those difficult discussions about the impact of your condition and make sure you are on the same page.

The toll of eczema on relationships and family dynamics is a strong reason to advocate for better control of the disease and universal access to modern medication that makes a real difference.

I hope that my story will help young people with eczema to make wiser choices.

Eva van Belle