Lesley-Anne has lived with the ups and downs of eczema flares for much of her life, with her hands, face, and eyes at the centre of her flares and suffering. The itch, pain, and discomfort posed challenges for her, and life stresses made things worse.
Lesley-Anne shared with ESC:
“There were times when I would wear oversized sunglasses to work so that I could hide the condition of flares around my eyes.” Raising a family and managing a demanding job, stress certainly contributed to her flares. She sought answers from her family doctor and dermatologist but wanted to minimize the use of medications required to keep her flares in check. “I had used medications for years and they certainly helped, but I sensed in myself that I needed a more holistic approach for my overall wellness, which included managing my stress, taking care of myself, and improving my eczema.”
Lesley-Anne embarked on a wellness journey that would improve her overall wellness, as well as her eczema. “I had a total reset – I reassessed my medications with my doctor and got back to the basics of skin care, avoided triggers, and used my medications when flares happened and until I was clear. I also focused on stress management, daily exercise, and self-care habits like meditation.” She shared that while she’s always been a healthful eater, she also explored a balanced diet with foods that made her feel good, focusing on a whole food, nutrient-rich eating plan in the hope that it would improve or calm the inflammation in her body.
“I am a firm believer that our wellness has to look at the whole person, and not just a skin symptom.” Lesley-Anne now has good control of her flares, works regularly to manage her stress, and has her skin care routine at the ready to combat flares when they happen. “I will always have sensitive skin and have to be careful of what products I use, what makeup I wear, and how I treat my skin, while always maintaining a strong focus on managing my overall wellness.”
Lesley-Anne also found solace in the community with the Eczema Society of Canada. “I think feeling less alone in my journey has also been very helpful. Spending time giving back as a volunteer with ESC and learning and connecting to a supportive community has itself been a part of my holistic healing journey.”
ESC sincerely thanks Lesley-Anne for sharing her story. If you are struggling with eczema and need support, please contact us at info@eczemahelp.ca or visit us at eczemahelp.ca or on our social media channels.
August 2023
