One teen’s guide on living with severe eczema, and the tips that make a difference.
Living with severe eczema was a daily challenge for William. Still, his grit has led to remarkable achievements: a second-degree black belt in taekwondo and winning one gold and two silver medals at the 2025 ICTF Open World Taekwondo, receiving the George Hitchcock Endowment Fund from the Brampton Fire Service, and chasing his dream of becoming a firefighter. William proves that eczema doesn’t have to hold you back. He shares his top tips for anyone struggling with eczema.
- Keep yourself distracted to help with the itch. Once you start scratching, you don’t want to stop. I try to distract myself as soon as I feel the urge to scratch. I move positions, change tasks, and keep my hands busy.
- Find what works for you and your skin. Everyone’s skin is different. What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for the other. I did a lot of testing and experimenting to see what worked for my skin. Find what routine, moisturizer, or medication works for you.
- Moisturizer is your friend. It helps keep your skin hydrated even when you don’t have a flare.
- Go to the dermatologist (if you have access). Seeing a dermatologist helped me explore different treatment options and find the right treatment for me.
- You’re not alone. There is a community of people here to support you.
- No one should be suffering. There are different treatments available, and I’m proof that even if you have severe eczema, you don’t have to suffer.
- Think with your skin first. Think about how your skin may react to situations or activities and consider your personal triggers. For me, an overnight trip to a waterpark was something I wanted to enjoy, but the consequences of developing dry skin and severe ezcema flare ups were too much to accept. I suffered once and learned a hard lesson. It can feel like you’re missing out, but your skin won’t suffer later if you think about your skin first and understand your triggers.
ESC sincerely thanks William for sharing his story. If you or your child is struggling with eczema and needs urgent care, go to your nearest emergency department.
August 2025
