Partners' Section

Self-esteem – building confidence:

Many adults with eczema are embarrassed about their skin, and choose their clothes carefully to cover up unattractive patches of eczema. It is important to reassure your partner that they are attractive despite their eczema. Mention their good points frequently, so they get the message that beauty is more than ‘skin deep’.

Support their skin-care regime:

It is important that eczema sufferers apply their moisturisers and other creams regularly to keep their skin healthy. Do everything you can to support your partner in this – from collecting prescriptions if necessary – to helping them understand that this regimen must be incorporated into your lives on a daily basis.

If they have eczema in hard-to-reach places, offer to apply their cream for them – this is a strong gesture of acceptance of their eczema.

Encourage your partner to relax:

Some people think that eczema is made worse by stress, so encourage your partner to do things they enjoy that help them to relax. Whether it’s a yoga class, a walk in the country, or visiting friends, everyone needs to make space in their busy lives for a breathing space – particularly those with eczema.

Join your partner:

Share a healthy diet and lifestyle to encourage healthy skin. How about joining a gym together, or experimenting with healthy recipes.

Optimising treatment:

Do encourage your partner to go back to their GP if they are not happy with their eczema treatment. There are now some new treatment options available that they may not have used before, so don’t let them give up hope until they’ve tried everything.

There are many treatment options available for eczema, so encourage your partner to go and see their GP if they are not happy with their treatment. There may be new treatments that they have not tried.