Did you know that only 1% of the population will ever complete a marathon? Next week, nine incredible individuals will join this exclusive group as they take on the London Marathon in support of National Eczema Society.
Each of our runners has a deeply personal connection to eczema. They are raising vital funds that will support us to fund future research, support patients, and improve outcomes for everyone affected by eczema. We invite you to read on to meet the team and learn about the experiences at the heart of their 26.2-mile journey.
“For as long as I can remember I have always struggled with eczema, I’ve suffered with it since I was a child and it makes me so self conscious. I am hoping that completing this milestone and raising money for a society that has helped me from a very young age will prove that anything is possible no matter how much discomfort you may be in! I want to use my platform to advocate for increased support for individual eczema patients in the healthcare system.”
“I have seen first-hand the physical and emotional toll eczema can take on the lives of those affected. Both my younger brother and older sister have lived with eczema since childhood.“
“I am running for my brother-in-law who has the condition. I am really delighted to be running for such a well-established and successful charity and contribute to the amazing work they do.“
“Eczema has shaped so much of my life, from being a baby suffering with outbreaks, through a relatively manageable childhood, to a major deterioration just before starting university.
During my darkest times, National Eczema Society’s website gave me and my family hope. It’s an honour to run for them, raising awareness and funds for a condition that is so often misunderstood, but has such a massive impact on people’s lives.“
“Eczema has had a huge impact on my life, physically and mentally: sleepless nights, cancelled plans, a huge distraction from work and school, making sports more difficult, and sheer embarrassment. I’m determined to raise awareness and some cash for the NES. The charity helps people like me with their confidence, and supports important research into new treatments.
I’m determined to raise awareness and some cash for the NES. The charity helps people like me with their confidence, and supports important research into new treatments.”
My husband and 2 kids have suffered with eczema all their lives and although I don’t suffer myself, I see the impact it has on everyday life.
I want to fundraise and raise awareness to help others like my children find a positive way to live with eczema. I want to raise funds to allow the Society to continue their fantastic work in supporting people and families living with eczema.
“I have suffered from atopic eczema from a very young age, despite being told I would likely grow out of it. From as long as I can remember, I’ve been reliant on ointment and steroids. It gives me great pride to be running for National Eczema Society – not only because my skin is actually good enough right now to run! – but because they do an amazing job in shining a spotlight on the lives of eczema sufferers, do incredible research on the condition and support sufferers. “
“I’m running to raise awareness, but also to raise money for the Eczema Society, who support people like me and fund vital research into treatments and care. Training for a marathon is a big challenge to me, but knowing I’m doing it for a cause so close to my heart makes every mile worth it. If you’re able to donate, I’d be so grateful for your support no matter what size, and it brings us one step closer to making life better for people living with eczema.“
“Experiencing the disruptive impacts of severe eczema and topical steroid withdrawal on my training as a gymnast and my overall well-being has driven me to take on the London Marathon. I am eager to raise awareness and funds for the unseen challenges people with these conditions must navigate.“
We wish all our runners good luck for the race next Sunday! We have been so inspired by their journeys. If you would like to support them – you can do so from the link below.
On Saturday 28 February, we’re thrilled to host a talk by Dr Tess McPherson on eczema in teenagers. In the UK, one in five children has eczema, and many are told they’ll “probably grow out of it” as teenagers. But is this true? Is growing out of eczema a real thing?
Dr McPherson is a Consultant Dermatologist with a specialist interest in adolescent eczema. She will explore the challenges teenagers face and the best ways to manage eczema. And address the question so many children and parents want to know – do you grow out of eczema?
You’re very welcome to attend the event in person in Guildford, or join us virtually via our live-stream on Facebook (Link Here) – both are completely free!
The talk is at 2.00pm on Saturday 28 February 2026, at Guildford Baptist Church, Millmead, Guildford GU2 4BE. For those attending in person, there is the opportunity to ask questions following Dr McPherson’s talk. There will also be displays of the charity’s eczema information resources and light refreshments are available.
Dr Tess McPherson is a Consultant Dermatologist at Oxford University Hospitals, and Associate Professor of Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at the University of Oxford. She has a specialist interest in adolescent eczema and is committed to providing better services and resources for young people. In Oxford, she has established a service for young people with skin conditions that integrates psychological support. She has led an NIHR project developing the healthtalk.org patient voice resource, co-led guidance on assessment and support for mental health conditions in children and young people with skin conditions, and has written a popular book Skin Conditions in Young People: A practical guide on how to be comfortable in your skin.
Dear friends and supporters,
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year, I am writing to share a positive and important update about the future of National Eczema Society. After half a century with our name, and 20 years of our current branding, we are preparing to launch a refreshed brand with new name to better reflect who we are today as a charity and the eczema community we serve.
Our current branding has served us well, establishing our charity as a trusted source of support and information. However, the world of eczema care and the needs of our community are constantly evolving, and so too must the organisation dedicated to leading that change.
Our 50th anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our many members, supporters, volunteers and staff for over half a century. As we look ahead, we need a refreshed brand to engage more supporters to achieve our vision of a world free of eczema.
The world of eczema has changed dramatically since we were founded, and since we last refreshed our brand. New treatments, new research opportunities and a stronger patient voice have transformed expectations for people living with eczema. And we have changed too. National Eczema Society now plays a much broader role: funding eczema research grants for the first time, participating in national steering groups, campaigning for clearer medicine labelling, and ensuring the eczema community has a louder, more influential voice in health policy to improve eczema care.
As we have grown, so too has the need for a brand that directly supports our ambition to reach more of the eight million children and adults living with eczema across the UK, who deserve to be heard and supported.
Our mission remains the same: to improve the lives of people affected by eczema through trusted information, support, research and campaigning. Our values remain unchanged. What is changing is the way we present our charity, so we can better connect with the wider eczema community, be more recognisable and accessible, and strengthen our voice nationally.
Over the coming months, we will share more about our refreshed look and our redesigned website, all launching in early 2026.
Above all, we want you, our members, supporters and community, to be part of this journey with us. Your lived experience, your passion and your support have helped shape the charity we are today, and will continue to shape who we become.
Thank you for your ongoing trust and commitment. We look forward to sharing this next chapter with you.
Warm regards,
Andrew Proctor,
Chief Executive, National Eczema Society
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our second research grant funding round, marking a significant step forward in accelerating research to improve the lives of those affected by eczema.
Building on the success of our first year, this renewed commitment ensures we continue to address the most pressing questions in eczema care, ultimately bringing hope and better outcomes to our community.
In our first round, we proudly awarded four groundbreaking research projects, including vital studies focused on investigating Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) mechanisms, improving clinical discussions around TSW, exploring women’s unique challenges, and evaluating the effects of environmental exposures.
We are now actively seeking applications from UK-based researchers whose projects focus on advancing understanding, diagnosis, and treatment pathways for eczema. We welcome fresh ideas and approaches from all relevant fields to generate new insights.
Our selection process is designed to be scientifically rigorous and patient-centric. All applications are reviewed by our expert Grant Advisory Panel, which includes our Chair, Dr. Paula Beattie, and a dedicated patient representative, ensuring funding decisions reflect clear value to the eczema community.
Thank you for your continued support as we embark on this journey together. Join us as we take the next step in eczema research!
This Medicines Safety Week, we’re reflecting on how small changes can make a big difference in supporting people to use eczema medicines safely and effectively.
Earlier this year, we were proud to see the outcome from driving major change in topical steroid labelling in the UK, making it clearer and easier to understand the strength of medicines used to treat eczema. After years of campaigning alongside healthcare professionals and the eczema community, topical steroids are now labelled ‘mild,’ ‘moderate,’ ‘strong,’ or ‘very strong’, helping people use these treatments safely and with confidence.
This change was driven by you — the eczema community — who shared your experiences and helped us demonstrate why clear, accessible information is essential for safe self-management.
As part of Medicines Safety Week, we’re reminding everyone that understanding your treatments is key to managing eczema well. Whether it’s knowing the strength of your topical steroid, storing your emollients safely, or understanding when to use each treatment, being informed helps you take control of your skin health.
If you ever experience an unexpected side effect or reaction to your eczema medication, you can play an important role in improving medicines safety by reporting it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. These reports help regulators monitor the safety of medicines and ensure important updates are made when needed.
We’ll continue working with healthcare professionals, regulators, and our community to make eczema information clearer, safer, and more accessible for everyone.
You can read more about the topical steroid labelling change and what it means for you here.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved Delgocitinib, the first and only topical treatment of its kind for adults with moderate to severe chronic hand eczema (CHE) when topical corticosteroids have not worked or are not suitable.
Delgocitinib is now the first approved topical pan-Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hand eczema. This represents an important step forward in care, offering a more localised treatment option for people who previously had to rely on systemic medicines for severe symptoms.
Understanding chronic hand eczema
Chronic hand eczema is a fluctuating inflammatory skin condition characterised by persistent itching, pain, redness and irritation on the hands and wrists. The condition is diagnosed when symptoms last more than three months, or recur two or more times within a year.
People can develop CHE due to a combination of factors, including a weakened skin barrier, ongoing inflammation and changes in the skin’s microbiome.
CHE affects approximately one in ten adults. Among those with severe forms, 70% report difficulties performing everyday activities, while 58% say it interferes with their ability to work.
Access to treatment on the NHS
Following NICE’s recommendation, Delgocitinib will now be made available on NHS prescription in England and Wales, with other UK nations expected to follow.
“We use our hands all the time, whether it’s texting, operating machinery, caring for others or simply going about daily life. Yet for many people living with chronic hand eczema, even routine tasks can become painful and life-limiting. NICE’s positive recommendation of Delgocitinib is a brilliant outcome outcome for the eczema community in the UK who struggle so badly with Chronic Hand Eczema.”
Andrew Proctor, Chief Executive, National Eczema Society.
Learn more about eczema treatments and management options on our Eczema Treatments page.