How one BC mother is fighting for improved eczema care for her child
As a parent or caregiver with a child who suffers from severe atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, you likely understand the daily challenges and struggles it can bring. For JJ, the heartbreak of seeing her son suffer from severe eczema, followed by a transformative treatment that changed his life, inspired her to advocate for people with eczema in British Columbia (BC).
Access to treatment varies across provinces and territories in Canada; a medication available in one region may not be covered by the public drug plan in another. Treatment access is a significant issue for eczema patients in BC, and they are the only province in Canada without access to any biologic drug for atopic dermatitis. Fortunately, JJ’s son was able to access this necessary treatment through a compassionate support program. Without this program, he would not have been able to access the medication in his province.
JJ shares, “An eczema biologic injectable treatment changed my 15-year-old son’s life. Before starting this treatment, severe eczema consumed every moment of his day and every corner of his mind. It was not just a skin condition — it was a barrier to sleep, education, friendships, sports, family life, and self-confidence.”
She continued, “Eczema consumed my son’s thoughts from the moment he woke up to the moment he went to bed. Twice a day, he spent 30 minutes applying moisturizer, yet still lived in constant fear of flare-ups. Before eczema, he was a vibrant, active child who wanted to try every sport — after eczema, he rushed home each day to sit alone, sidelined from a normal, active high school life.”
His atopic dermatitis impacted his daily life and his activities. JJ continued, “Hockey was my son’s passion from the time he was five. But, eczema stole that joy. Sweat from exertion triggered intense itching, and the constant friction from his gear turned irritated skin into open, inflamed sores.”
The unrelenting itch of atopic dermatitis also impacts focus, fatigue, and mental health. JJ shared how this impacted her son, “Eczema would never let his mind rest, and that includes at night. The constant itch and discomfort make it nearly impossible to fall asleep, and when he does, he wakes repeatedly, scratching until his sheets are speckled with blood. For a 15-year-old in school, this exhaustion is devastating — fatigue dulls his focus, makes it harder to follow lessons, and robs him of the ability to retain what he’s learned. Sleep is when a teenager’s brain consolidates information, and the body repairs itself, but without it, he starts each day already defeated.”
Atopic dermatitis also impacts the whole family. JJ continued, “This didn’t just change my son’s life — it changed our entire family’s. He avoided family gatherings, weary of the constant questions about his skin and the endless stream of well-meaning but exhausting advice about creams, home remedies, and over-the-counter products we had already tried a hundred times.”
JJ’s son finally found relief with Dupixent, which was the first biologic drug approved for atopic dermatitis in Canada. Not only is Dupixent a breakthrough medication, but since its approval, a number of other biologic drugs have been approved in Canada. Coverage for these drugs, through private insurance plans and through government drug plans varies greatly. ESC is working to change this through our advocacy efforts.
JJ reached out to the Eczema Society of Canada (ESC) for support in advocating to the British Columbia government. With extensive experience advocating for access to eczema care and treatment across the province, ESC worked alongside JJ to support her efforts. If you’re experiencing care or treatment challenges, want to write to your provincial government, or would like to share your story, please contact us at info@eczemahelp.ca
ESC sincerely thanks JJ for sharing her story. If you or your child is struggling with eczema and needs urgent care, go to your nearest emergency department.
January 2026
