At 22, Toby has spent most of his life managing severe eczema. He has endured painful flare-ups, infections, and sleepless nights that left him exhausted and without hope. This year he’s running the London Marathon for National Eczema Society to raise awareness for eczema and those it affects.
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. Moving to a new city while battling severe flare-ups covering my body, including my face, was incredibly tough. Many people underestimate how much eczema can impact every part of your life. I visited countless doctors over the years, but nothing offered more than a few days of temporary relief. For almost four years now, I’ve lived a cycle of flare-ups, infections, painful skin, and emotional exhaustion. I’ve spent hours researching treatments and lifestyle changes, desperately trying to find anything that would help.
Despite all this, I graduated with a first-class degree from the University of Birmingham. However, after moving home to East Sussex, my skin deteriorated further, probably the worst it’s ever been. I was house bound for weeks and eventually had to move out in search of relief. During my worst flare-ups, not being able to exercise, which was so crucial for my mental health, was one of the hardest things to lose. It wasn’t just dry skin and a bit of itching, it was full-body flare-ups, intense pain, unbearable itching, with broken and bleeding skin, and relentless infections. There were many times that I couldn’t sleep, concentrate, or even leave the house. I was drained, both physically and mentally…wondering if it was ever going to improve.
During my darkest times, National Eczema Society’s website gave me small glimmers of hope. Whether it was reading about triggers, learning new treatments, or simply finding something new to try, its resources were the difference between lying in bed feeling hopeless and having just enough motivation to keep trying.
The NES site also gave my family and girlfriend something positive to hold onto. When you’re caring for someone going through terrible flare-ups, it’s easy to feel helpless, but NES provides support and practical advice that makes a real difference. Thankfully, after years of struggle, I’m now in a better place. It’s been about four months since my last infection. I still live with caution around triggers, but I’m finally able to enjoy life again – playing golf, tennis, padel, going to the gym, and running with my girlfriend.
Every year, I watch the London Marathon and feel incredibly inspired by all the runners and the causes they represent. For years, I felt too fragile to even consider doing it myself. But now, at 22 years old, I finally feel strong enough to take it on. It’s an honour to run for National Eczema Society, raising awareness and funds for a condition that is so often misunderstood, but has such a massive impact on people’s lives.
We would like to thank Toby for sharing his story and we wish him the best of luck! You can donate to Toby through the link below: