Eczema is an incredibly misunderstood condition, it impacts 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults. The impact it can have will depend on the severity of the condition and the severity can vary throughout someone's life. I am a 1 in 10.

In 2021 I experienced the worst eczema i've ever had (i'm currently managing it with long term drugs) and I can honestly say it was the worst year of my life to date. I read the story of a previous NES (National Eczema Society) runner who said 'you never truly understand the feeling of living with eczema unless you've suffered first hand' and I can vouch for that. In 2021 my eczema was head to toe, it was red, itchy, rashy, flaky, bleeding and blistering to various degrees across my body, it seemed to reach places I never thought possible ... who knew you could get eczema in your arm pit? Many people would ask, 'does it hurt' and up until 2021 I would have said no, but my experience last year changed that answer, the pain, discomfort, frustration and sleep deprivation that I experienced really struck a cord with how impactful the condition can be. The affect of eczema is not only physical, it significantly impacted my confidence for a period of time ... there were a lot of days when I worked from home just so I wasn't seen.

So I have decided to say good riddance 2021 and bring on the marathon challenge in 2022!

I will be running the marathon for each and every person who feels uncomfortable in their own skin and can't seem to find a way out, physically or mentally, but also for those parents who have to see the suffering of their children, it can be equally heart breaking.

Unfortunately, cases of eczema are on the rise, and there is no clear understanding on the cause or a cure. It truly can be life limiting. The National Eczema Society has two main aims: to provide people with independent and practical advice about treating and managing eczema and to raise awareness of the needs of those with eczema with healthcare professionals, teachers and the government. Currently, there is no cure for eczema. Finding a cure would significantly transform the lives of millions of sufferers in the UK, of which 20% are school children. The National Eczema Society supports funding research into eczema.

If you have read this story then thank you for taking the time to understand the importance of this cause and please know that any donations you pledge are going to a very worthy cause.