Bucks students urged to think before they comment on eczema – Mix 96

Published by the Mix96 News Team at 1:33pm 16th January 2020. (Updated at 1:39pm 16th January 2020)

Children have reported being called names like 'reptile'.

The common misconception that atopic dermatitis (AD) is contagious is common, especially among school children.

Buckinghamshire local Ruth Holroyd has been bullied due to her eczema in the past:

"I did get bullied quite a lot at school, and it did all stem from my skin because it makes you different.

"I can remember the first time I realised I was different, people wouldn't hold my hands. We would be doing some dancing, or something in P.E. and people wouldn't hold my hand.

"I think they thought they were going to catch it or they didn't like the feel of my hands."

Eczema Outreach Support is a charity that works with children and families to educate and support them.

They shared Alana's story on BBC Children in Need last year.

Things like soap or a PE lesson can cause a flare up in the condition which is difficult to avoid for school children especially.

The cold winter months can be extremely irritating for AD sufferers, and flare ups are more common.

Ruth wants people to remember the condition can have an affect on mental health:

"I am going through topical steroid withdrawel at the moment, where I'm cutting out steroids. It is a really brutal process and some people take their lives if it gets that bad.

"People can get so lonely and so isolated that they just can't carry on. Kids at school don't know how to get that help."

Go here to see the original:
Bucks students urged to think before they comment on eczema - Mix 96