25/08/2010 by eczemaboys.

My eldest son, James is 19 years old, and will be in his second year at university in September.  Fortunately last September we applied for help with health costs, James was going away to uni and therefore not in ‘full time education’ which meant that he had to pay for his prescriptions which would have been a huge struggle financially for both him and us to be fair.

I was lucky - on advice from our local pharmacist we applied for a HC2 certificate and was successful, which meant that he has not had to pay for prescriptions, dental treatment or NHS eye sight tests.  I have noticed that this is due for renewal and we have to fill in this ridiculously detailed form again, hopefully we will be successful once again as it will prove very expensive for us if we don’t succeed!

I can’t imagine how much it would of cost in prescription charges this past year that is why it is so important to join the Prescription Promise campaign.

Posted in Prescription Promise Campaign | 6 Comments »

25/08/2010 by Admin Kirsty.

The Prescription Promise Campaign brings together a number of charities calling on the Government to abolish unfair prescription charges for people with all long-term conditions.Since April 2009, people with cancer no longer have to pay for prescriptions.

This is wonderful news, but many more people in need are still waiting. There is plenty of evidence that many people with long-term conditions currently struggle to afford their prescriptions, and often choose not to fill prescriptions because of the cost.

The National Eczema Society supports the campaign through its alliance with the Skincare Campaign, an umbrella organisation that unites the patient, healthcare professions, pharmaceutical industry and politicians who have a connection with skin diseases and conditions.

To support the Prescription Promise Campaign, please complete the online petition.

Please also share your views in the comments for this post.  Thank you.

Posted in Prescription Promise Campaign | No Comments »

24/08/2010 by Nicki.

I’ve had some strange ideas from Doctors in the past. One particular crazy Doctor of mine gave me a whole list but to my surprise one of them actually worked…he suggested putting oats into the bath, which at first I thought was mad .After a lot of trials (my Mum went mad at the prospect of oats blocking the entire drain system), we put a handful of oats into a muslin cloth, tied a knot in the top and dipped the oats in so all the oat milk ran into the bath. It was such a nice break as it was really soothing on the skin.

Anyone else found any weird remedies that have worked?

 Nicki x

Posted in General | 4 Comments »

11/08/2010 by Nicki.

Hi everyone, so I’m back from holiday and have returned from Barcelona with not only a few more pounds on the hips but also nice patches of eczema! You cannot win- suncream makes my skin itch, the heat makes my skin itch, the sand makes my skin itch, and then I go and get sunburn as I missed a bit on my neck and shoulders when I put suncream on.

No advice anyone has even given me has helped my skin on holiday actually, I’ve found it’s really something you have to work out yourself. After many suggestions and trials I have finally found a suncream that doesn’t sting, a holiday wardrobe that keeps me cool (i.e. a wardrobe full of kaftans), and ways of coping on the beach. My main holiday must-do is  showering around 4 times a day, I have a pet hate of suncream on my skin for too long. However this turns the conversation off my eczema and onto my suspected OCD!!

The one tip I have never understood is that the sea is good for your skin, some people swear by it and every year I pull myself together and give it another try, enduring on average 2 minutes of itching before I give up and go back to my sun lounger….

Nicki x

Posted in Eczema and the Weather | 3 Comments »