Is your child being bullied at school because they have eczema?

We all know that children can be incredibly cruel to those who they think are ‘different’ to them.  This can apply to a whole range of issues, but physical appearance is often high on the list, especially when it is very obvious, like skin conditions.  When a child suffers from chronic eczema it isn’t something that is easily hidden; the redness, the constant itching are beacons for comments, jibes and even physical abuse from their ‘mates’, so the condition not only affects their skin, but their confidence and self esteem as well.

This was brought out in a survey just published by the British Skin Foundation, which found that “A shocking 47% per cent of people with a skin disease in the UK have been victims of verbal abuse one or more times from another member of the public.”

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It’s a New Life for Florence

We regularly hear from patients who are so delighted with the relief they get from their eczema when they wear DermaSilk that they have to tell us.  But last week I received an e-mail from a mum who was absolutely staggered at the dramatic change that DermaSilk had made to her 9 month old daughter in just a few days. In fact she was so delighted that she sent us photos of Florence that shows just how much her eczema had improved far better than any words could describe....

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Is your Itch an Allergy or Eczema?

If you weren’t already aware, this is National Allergy Week, and a recent publication by one of our leading paediatric allergy experts highlights the very close link between allergies and eczema.

One of the most concerning facts that Dr George Du Toit from the Portland Hospital for Women and Children cites is that allergies and eczema now affect between 40 and 50% of the population, with the rate increasing fastest amongst children. Dr George Du Toit also suggests that up to 50% of children who suffer with eczema also develop food allergies which then makes their symptoms even worse.

It’s rare for an allergic reaction to be life threatening, and in most children it usually presents as an intensely itchy skin rash. The constant scratching is not only traumatic in itself, but can lead to open wounds which then become infected while the intense itching at night keeps children awake, disturbing normal sleep, so the child wakes tired and irritable.

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