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While everyone occasionally experiences dry skin, #eczema can be a physical and emotional nightmare. While dry skin is one of the symptoms of eczema, a key impact of the condition is an intense itch. Prolonged scratching can cause the skin to bleed, lead to infection and long-term skin changes of thickening and pigmentation. Eczema is a serious health issue that can negatively impact on a sufferer’s quality of life and lead to emotional distress. Help raise awareness about the burden of eczema and please share this post with your friends and family.

#Eczema is an expensive disease. Our latest research shows that eczema patients and their families incurred up to $336 million in out-of-pocket costs for medical visits and an estimated additional $1.2 billion for the medications, emollients, special food and clothing needed to manage eczema symptoms.

What is eczema management costing you? Leave a comment below 👇

Today is #GivingTuesday. A global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity.

However, we fully understand the financial burden that eczema management can have on household budgets, often sacrifices needs to be made to allow for essential medications. But there are many other ways to take part this #GivingTuesday.

Give – by sharing our page and liking our posts.

It is estimated that nearly 3 million Australia’s are affected by eczema. However, we are only connected with a small number of these patients. By sharing our posts with your friends, it may help us reach someone new, someone who needs access to our evidence-based information, connection and support.

What you may regard as a small gesture, may just brighten someone else’s day.

And if you would like to make a donation to support the work we do, you can do so via our website - link in linktree.

We love our online community! But we also realise many of you are only following our social channels. Did you know we also have an email newsletter? We only send these quarterly, so we won't bombard you with emails. Subscribe here: eczemasupport.org.au/subscribe.

It's a great way to keep informed about our news and events!

#Eczema is a debilitating skin condition that causes severe pain, distress and sleep disruption.

Adults with eczema are three times more likely to suffer depression than those without the condition. More than one in five adults with eczema consider suicide, yet only three per cent of impacted adults report receiving information about psychological help from their GP.

Show the eczema community that you care. Share a message of support below❤️
If you or your loved one needs mental health support, reach out. You can contact Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14. We are also here to provide support.

Mental Health Matters: How Skin Conditions Affect Our Emotional Well-being (and vice versa)

Did you know that our skin and mental health are intricately linked? Today marks World Psychodermatology Day (WPD) 2023, a global initiative to raise awareness about the complex interplay between skin conditions and psychological well-being.

Exclusive Preview: Eczema and Mental Health – How Psychologists Can Help

Get ready to embark on a journey of understanding how eczema impacts mental health and how psychologists can play a crucial role in supporting affected individuals. We're excited to share a sneak peek of our upcoming eLearning course, "Eczema and Mental Health – How Psychologists Can Help."

Stay tuned for the official launch of this important course at: https://www.eczemasupport.org.au/e-learning/

#WPD2023 #Psychodermatology #SkinHealthMatters #MentalHealthMatters

#Eczema is a chronic skin condition, but, as the saying goes, one size does not fit all. While common symptoms
include dry, scaly skin, inflammation and itchiness that may be intense, there are in fact, seven different types of eczema,
all of which have their own unique characteristics and triggers.

Atopic Dermatitis, commonly known as atopic eczema, is the most common form of eczema. It usually starts in childhood and can be long-lasting.

Do you or someone you know live with one of these types of eczema?

Atopic Dermatitis / Atopic Eczema is the most common form of eczema. It usually starts in childhood and can be long-lasting.

Contact Dermatitis occurs when the skin becomes inflamed after contact with a substance that irritates or triggers an allergic reaction.

Dyshidrotic Eczema is more common in women than men. It causes small blisters to form on the hands and feet.

Neurodermatitis is similar to atopic dermatitis but is usually confined to one or two patches of skin and rarely goes away without treatment.

Discoid Eczema is round, coin-shaped spots on the skin. It is more common in males than females and is more likely to affect people with other eczema.

Stasis Dermatitis is associated with poor circulation in the lower legs, with fluid leaking out of weakened veins into the skin to cause swelling, redness, itching and pain. Most common in people older than 50.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis appears where there are a lot of oil-producing glands like the upper back, nose and scalp. Most common in infants or adults aged 30 to 60, and while it clears typically on its own in infants, it usually follows a pattern of flaring and clearing for years in adults.

Please find more information about #eczema on our website: https://www.eczemasupport.org.au/about-eczema. As well as helpful tips for eczema management.

For ongoing support and connection, consider joining one of our closed Facebook community groups for Families, Teenagers and Adults with eczema. You are not on this journey alone❤️

https://eczema.support/Families-with-Eczema
https://eczema.support/Adults
https://itchy.group/join

Recently published data analysis has revealed that #eczema affects 2.8 Australians, with a staggering 1 in 3 children under the age of 6 presenting with symptoms of this chronic skin condition.

Despite the high prevalence, it is often dismissed as a superficial rash, leaving many to suffer in silence - when in fact, it is one of Australia’s most common chronic health conditions.

Currently, there is no cure for eczema, and one in five Australian patients with moderate to severe eczema frequently find that their disease does not respond to conventional treatments.

Today is #WorldKindnessDay, show the eczema community you care and support them by leaving a message of love below❤️

We understand the challenges of dealing with chronic #eczema. Our vision is for all Australians living with eczema to overcome difficulties and thrive in their community through connection, information and advocacy.

Whether it's caring for a loved one with eczema or managing eczema for yourself, there can be times of extreme loneliness and isolation. But we want you to know you are not alone, a supportive eczema community is here to support you. Consider joining one of our three closed Facebook community groups to provide connection and support whenever you need it.

https://eczema.support/Adults
https://eczema.support/Families-with-Eczema
https://itchy.group/join

We Care. We Listen. We Understand. We Act. We are here for you.

People with #eczema understand the importance of skin health. As part of their World Skin Health Day campaign, the Australasian College of Dermatologists has launched a series of articles with top tips from Australian dermatologists on how to keep your skin, hair and nails healthy. Check it out here: https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/7-days-of-skin-health.

There is currently no cure for eczema but the condition can be managed. While some children will grow out of eczema as they get older, others will have the condition throughout their lives. The goal is to prevent flare-ups and manage symptoms when they do occur.

Please find information on #eczema management on our website: https://www.eczemasupport.org.au/eczema-management.

For ongoing support and connection, consider joining one of our closed Facebook community groups for Families, Teenagers and Adults with eczema. You are not on this journey alone❤️

https://eczema.support/Families-with-Eczema
https://itchy.group/join
https://eczema.support/Adults

Thanks to all our wonderful supporters who jumped in and purchased a raffle ticket in the Play for Purpose Early Bird prize draw. The $10,000 Woolworths WISH Gift Voucher winner announced today is 'L' from Mundubbera, QLD who puchased a ticket in support of Rural Aid.

Don’t forget, you are still in the main draw to win some fantastic prizes, including the First Prize Pack worth $250K! This draw will take place on 17 December.

If you haven't got your tickets yet, they are $10 each, with $5 of every ticket provided to Eczema Support Australia. This money raised directly supports our work, providing information, connection and advocacy to Australians living with eczema.

Buy your tickets here: https://www.playforpurpose.com.au/eczema-support.

#PlayforPurpose #EczemaSupportAustralia #SupportEczema

Secure your Early Bird tickets for the Play for Purpose raffle.
👉https://www.playforpurpose.com.au/eczema-support

You could win a $10,000 Woolworths WISH Voucher in this bonus Early Bird Prize Draw. The winner will be announced tomorrow, 2 November.

All raffle tickets purchased before 2 November automatically enters you into BOTH the Early Bird Draw and the $250K Raffle First Prize Pack (drawn on 15 December).

And remember, $5 from every $10 ticket is provided directly to Eczema Support Australia. This is a great opportunity to win big while helping provide information, connection and support to Australians living with eczema.

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.playforpurpose.com.au/eczema-support.

Play For Purpose is 100%not-for-profit, operated by the 50-50 Foundation.

#PlayForPurpose #EczemaSupportAustralia #SupportEczema

Myth or Fact: Only children get #eczema - this is obviously a MYTH! Eczema can occur at any age, so paying attention to warning signs is vital.

While most cases appear in babies and disappear from about six years of age, the condition can continue into adulthood or even develop as adults. It can cause much heartache and distress no matter what the age!

Patients who present with eczema later in life without any prior skin issues should seek further medical testing to rule out underlying causes such as allergies or reactions to new medication.

We debunk more #eczema myths in our factsheet: https://eczema.link/MythvsFact.

We also have closed Facebook community groups for Families, Teens and Adults for ongoing support and connection❤️

HATS OFF TO TEACHERS THIS WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY! Thank you to all the fantastic teachers who look after our eczema children in the classroom.

Here's a free CPD-accredited course on eczema awareness for our teachers: https://eczema.support/Eczema-Educators-Course.

The 45-minute course provides vital information about eczema and the unique considerations for children with eczema. Understanding these factors will better support a child’s education and social-emotional development.

#WorldTeachersDay2023

🎉 Exciting Announcement 🎉

🇦🇺 Major Australian Government grants are set to provide better support for thousands of families affected by eczema, known medically as atopic dermatitis. The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance has secured funding for a two-year program to deliver high-quality education for consumers, first focusing on eczema management. Another grant will focus on healthcare professional education, offering resources to doctors, pharmacists, and nurses. Other program topics will be the treatment of gout, oral anticoagulant use, and antidepressants for older individuals.

🌟 This is a significant first step in ending the eczema treatment maze. Eczema Support Australia is proud to be a member of the QUM Alliance, working together to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by eczema. 🤝 Watch this space for our outcomes of these grants. For more information about the QUM Alliance and project work, read our latest blog: https://eczema.support/QUM.

#EczemaCare #EczemaManagement #QUMAlliance 🇦🇺

Eczema Support Australia has been in the news recently calling for a National Eczema Strategy. We believe a coordinated national response to eczema is essential to prevent families and adults falling through the gaps in the system. We are continually contacted by people who are at their wits’ end, struggling with eczema, and this will only change if there is a national effort to ensure high quality eczema care is available no matter where you live.

Our latest newsletter highlights some of our media coverage and our plans to build on this success. We’re in this for the long haul and to ensure no one with eczema is lost in the system.

Read the October newsletter here: https://eczema.support/OctoberNews.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to our quarterly newsletter to get updates about our work, get connected and support Australians impacted by eczema https://eczema.support/Subscribe.

We are excited to announce Eczema Support Australia has teamed up with Play For Purpose - it's never been easier to support our work!

A minimum of $5 from every $10 ticket you buy goes directly to helping us provide support to eczema patients across Australia.

Play for Purpose source and distribute over 395 prizes in every raffle including a first prize worth $250,000.

Find out more and purchase online at www.playforpurpose.com.au/eczema-support.

Play For Purpose is 100%not-for-profit, operated by the 50-50Foundation.

🌍🧠 World Mental Health Day: Eczema's Hidden Impact 🌍🧠

On this World Mental Health Day, we shed light on a less-talked-about issue - the profound toll eczema can take on mental health. Shockingly, 1 in 3 adults with eczema struggle with depression, and 1 in 5 have contemplated suicide due to this condition.

Eczema is more than just a skin problem; it's a relentless battle that can crush self-esteem and mental well-being. The constant itching and discomfort can lead to isolation, despair, and hopelessness.

But you don't have to face this battle alone. Contact Eczema Support Australia for a supportive community that understands your struggles.

📞 If you're battling thoughts of suicide, please know help is available. Call Lifeline at 13 11 44. Your life matters.

We share a video featuring Virginia, who bravely shares her story about eczema's impact on her mental health.

Let's unite on #WorldMentalHealthDay, raise awareness, break the stigma, and extend a hand of support to those battling eczema's silent struggles. You are not alone. #EczemaAwareness #MentalHealthMatters 💚

🌿 Important Eczema Awareness 🌿

Hey there, dear friends! 👋 We know that many of you or your little ones deal with eczema, and we all want to find the best solutions to soothe those sensitive skin issues.

But today, we want to talk about a crucial topic - the use of creams, lotions, and oils that contain food-based ingredients. 🍯🥜🌾 While it may seem like a safe and natural choice, there are some potential risks you should be aware of.

Research suggests that using skincare products with food-based ingredients, like oats, goat milk, nuts, and wheat, may not be the best option for those with eczema, especially children. 🚼
Why, you ask? Well, here's the scoop:

🚫 Introducing food allergens through the skin: Experts are concerned that applying these ingredients to the skin instead of ingesting them can confuse our immune system. Instead of recognising them as harmless, the immune system might see them as a threat, potentially leading to allergic responses.

So, what can you do to keep your skin and your loved ones' skin healthy while avoiding potential risks? Here are a few tips:

1️⃣ Consult a doctor: If you or your child have eczema, it's always a good idea to seek advice from a health professional such as a dermatologist or immunologist where allergies are involved. They can recommend suitable products and treatments tailored to your specific needs.

2️⃣ Patch test new products: Before slathering on a new cream or lotion, perform a patch test on a small area of the skin to check for any adverse reactions.

3️⃣ Read labels carefully: Take a close look at the ingredient list of skincare products. Avoid those that contain plant or food-based ingredients if you're concerned about potential allergies.

4️⃣ Stay hydrated: Hydrated skin is happy skin! Drinking plenty of water can help maintain skin health.

Remember, we all want what's best for our skin and our little ones, but safety should always come first. 💚 Let's keep supporting each other in this eczema journey and share your tips and experiences below. 💬 #EczemaAwareness #SkinHealth #NaturalSkincare