My atopic eczema started 42 years ago. It was triggered by the stress of a big move from Edinburgh to Linlithgow and starting primary school. I had to try and make new friends and get used to living in a new house, but as a young girl it was too much for me.
I think unless you’ve experienced a skin condition, it’s not always easy to understand the impact it can have on someone’s life. The mantra of my childhood was probably “stop scratching!”.
My parents said this constantly, but I only felt relief when the itch was away, and my skin was sore, which inevitably meant it was broken and bleeding.
Try having an itch and not scratching it, then imagine you were itchy all over!
My childhood years were spent in the doctor’s surgery, being prescribed the next steroid cream or lotion or an antihistamine.
Once, I attended the hospital for a week being lathered in cream and then wrapped from head to toe in bandages. I had allergy tests, and it was established that I was allergic to many things, which are sometimes not easy to avoid. These included grass, dust, pollen, perfumes and fragrances, sunscreen. I’d just scratch it off as a child, the list is HUGE!
I had a hard time at school with the other kids seeing my skin condition, as something they could make a fun of and tease me for. ‘Scabby Queen’ was a nickname I was given in my first year of high school, which did nothing for my confidence as a young girl.
Living with eczema affects so many parts of your life. From the clothes you wear, to what you wash with, what you eat and how you feel about yourself. When your skin is broken and sore it makes you feel dirty and unattractive.
It makes you self-conscious. It affects your self-confidence and self-esteem. It affects your mental health too. You don’t feel comfortable in your own skin.
Living with eczema affects so many parts of your life.
So this September, I put my running trainers back on, since I signed up to run the Great North Run for National Eczema Society.
My skin had been great for years and then it started to flare up last summer and I’ve not been able to get control of it since then.
I wanted to raise awareness and raise money, to help other people with the condition, especially children.
Find out how you can support Natalie, by visiting her fundraising page.