Scratching the surface gives eczema sufferers an opportunity to share how greatly this complex disease impacts their quality of life. Send your story or drawings to us because we want to hear from people coping with this disease! Send mail to director@eczemahelp.ca

A Message from the President: There is hope!

My son Nathan had severely dry skin since birth it seemed, and was diagnosed with moderate eczema at three months of age. By six months, he was covered from head to toe in blood-red patches of bumpy, scaly, eczema. He would scratch until he bled, cry from the discomfort, and wake throughout the night. We saw a dermatologist, and the one percent hydrocortisone helped at first, but soon his skin was getting worse and worse. I felt completely helpless. My child was suffering right before my eyes, and I didn’t know how to help him. I felt that no one understood, and people minimized the severity of Nathan’s condition.

Nathan’s first birthday was marked with great joy but was shadowed with great distress, as his eczema was simply out of control. We were hearing conflicting information from doctors, friends, and family: "Don’t bathe!", "Bathe every other day", "Put oatmeal in the water.", "Put baking soda in the water!","Don’t use steroids!", and on, and on. I have mild eczema, and my husband suffers with hand eczema, but that was nothing to compared to the severity of our son’s condition. I finally found the website www.eczemahelp.ca , and got incredible support from Michelle Carroll, the president of the charity. We started following the triangle of control, started following the bathing regimen at least twice daily, and found Dr. Miriam Weinstein at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Our lives, especially Nathan’s, suddenly changed dramatically. His skin improved significantly within the first week. There was hope! He still has flares, and still needs his baths, moisturizers, and medicated treatment from time to time, but we’ve gained control over what once felt hopeless. We now struggle with anaphylactic allergies, and his eczema always needs great attention; but with a diligent effort we keep him comfortable, his skin soft, and allow him to focus on being an active, healthy and happy four year old.

Our daughter was diagnosed soon after she was born, but this time I knew exactly what to do, and by 18 months, her condition was all but gone! She never had to suffer as Nathan did. Current research in eczema is looking at this very concept, "Can eczema be prevented in high risk patients who get early skin care intervention?".

When I think of the generosity and commitment of Dr. Weinstein, and Dr. Pope, and the team of parents and doctors who started this Society and keep its mission alive, I continue to feel a renewed sense of optimism and hope.

There is no cure, but there is control!
Sincerely,
Amanda Cresswell-Melville
President, The Eczema Society of Canada

Amanda Cresswell-Melville was an active volunteer and board member of the Eczema Society of Canada for two years before becoming the Executive Director.

Michelle’s Story

Our daughter’s story began at birth. She was born with eczema on her toes which then progressed to the rest of her body. For eight years we went to general practitioners, dermatologists, homeopaths and naturopaths. We even put her on Chinese herbs. However, there was no cure, no control, pure frustration, itching, pain, and sadness for our daughter. Eventually she gave up all hope.

At that point we took her to Sick Children’s Hospital and were lucky enough to meet Dr. Krafchik. She put our daughter on "The Regimen" that finally spelled relief. There was still doubt in our minds that this would work. Dr. Krafchik explained that there was no cure for eczema, but we could control it.

So we stuck to it. Well, it is now many years later and by following Dr. K’s regimen daily, and I must stress daily, our daughter is living with great self-esteem, laughter, and well controlled eczema.

Thank you Dr. Krafchik!

A Mother’s Account of her Baby Emily’s Suffering

Emily started showing signs of slight skin dryness around two to three months months of age. At around six months of age, our family doctor diagnosed Emily with Eczema. The doctor described eczema as being an "irritating skin condition" that shouldn't be too much of a problem, not to worry about it. Around 10 months of age, Emily's skin was cracked, bleeding and extremely itchy! The itchiness became so bad that Emily's sleep pattern was being interrupted and she would wake in the middle of the night screaming and scratching.

Finally, we found the Eczema Society! We continue to follow the bathing regimen and also live in a pet/scent and "almost" chemical free home. Thanks to the Eczema Society, Emily is now 23 months, and is a happy, vibrant and virtually care-free toddler.

Sincerely, Sara Mudge


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