Friday, 22 June 2007

Ulrika Jonsson: Eczema left me with scars

For sufferers like Ulrika, it can be a painful and debilitating condition

US singer LeAnn Rimes was diagnosed with eczema at the age of two.

‘I was always teased at school and didn’t want to go outside in the summer wearing a swimsuit or shorts,’ she says. Fortunately, she learned to manage her condition. But the self-consciousness LeAnn experienced is shared by many adults who suffer from eczema.

An inflammatory skin condition affecting one in 12 adults in the UK, it’s characterised by itchy, dry, flaky skin. The condition can vary in severity from a few unsightly patches to weeping sores, which Ulrika Jonsson, endured when she was younger.

‘I used to rub my eyes until they became so swollen that I couldn’t see,’ she says. ‘And I still have scars in the creases of my knees and arms.’

Severe cases result in hospital treatment

For some people, the itching can become so bad that the skin becomes inflamed and broken, resulting in the need for wet bandaging and even hospital treatment to prevent infection.

According to the National Eczema Society, the most common types of the condition are atopic eczema, thought to be inherited; allergic contact dermatitis, which develops when the body’s immune system reacts to a substance that comes into contact with the skin; and irritant contact dermatitis, caused by frequent contact with substances such as chemicals in detergents.

Stress is a major trigger

It appears that this latter type may affect actress Nicole Kidman, who’s been pictured with raw, red hands.

The condition can go into hibernation and appear to be cured, only for it to be triggered years later. According to David Nicolson, spokesperson for the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, stress is a major trigger.

‘The latest evidence suggests that eczema’s connected with a depressed or overloaded immune system, as well as food intolerances,’ he says. ‘But one of the major trigger factors is stress.’

This is thought to be because stress can activate hormones that suppress the immune system, resulting in a flare-up.

Celebrity sufferers

This is something Claire Sweeney, can identify with. The actress-turned-TV presenter suffered a break-out after landing a role in Channel 4 soap Brookside. ‘I got eczema all over my body,’ Claire recalls. ‘I couldn’t work out if it was the make-up, the lights or just my nerves.’

Similarly, former EastEnders actress Nadia Sawalha, suffered an outbreak following the birth of her daughter Maddy, now four.

‘I think the shock of childbirth combined with the stress of going back to work triggered the most terrible explosion of eczema on my hands,’ she says.

Managing the condition

Although there’s currently no known cure for eczema, there are treatments that can help manage the condition. The most common are emollients that form a barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss and steroids or antihistamines to reduce inflammation.

There’s also a growing belief that dietary measures can help.

‘With eczema, you’ve got an essential fatty acid imbalance, so you should make sure you eat plenty of foods containing omega-3,’ advises David.

Complementary therapies and ultraviolet (UV) light, which helps boost rejuvenation of the skin cells, are also believed to help some sufferers.

Research continues in an attempt to find a cure but, in the meantime, sufferers shouldn’t hide away. Claire Sweeney says: ‘I don’t lose any sleep over it now – I’m an expert at covering it up with make-up.’

ECZEMA EXPLAINED

What is it?
An inflammatory skin condition caused by genetics, allergies, an immune response or toxic substances overloading the body. You can’t catch it and the exact cause isn’t fully understood.

What are the symptoms?
They commonly include red, dry, itchy skin; small water blisters, particularly on the hands and feet; scaly areas in places that are scratched frequently.

What treatments are available?
Creams, steroids or antihistamines, complementary therapies or UV light, which helps regenerate new skin cells.

More information
Contact the National Eczema Society on 0870 2413604 or visit www.eczema.org.

Emily Watkins