My Story

So why am I running for this charity?

Well I want to raise awareness and help raise money, to help other people with the condition, especially children. 

My atopic eczema started 42 years ago. It was triggered by the stress of a big move from Edinburgh to Linlithgow and starting primary school. I had to try and make new friends and get used to living in a new house and as a wee girl it was too much for me (I was not great with change back then but I'm much better now!).

I think unless you've experienced a skin condition it's not always easy to understand the impact it can have on someone's life. The mantra of my childhood was probably ‘Stop scratching!’.  My parents said this constantly but I only felt relief when the itch was away and my skin was sore, which inevitably meant it was broken and bleeding.  Try having an itch and not scratching it then imagine you were itchy all over!

My childhood years were spent in the doctor’s surgery being prescribed the next steroid cream or lotion or anti histimine.  It got to the point where I knew better than the doctor what I needed!  I attended the hospital for a week being lathered in cream and then wrapped from head to toe in bandages.  I had allergy tests and it was established that I was allergic to many things sometimes not easy to avoid including grass, dust, pollen, perfumes and fragrances, suncream – I’d just scratch it off as a child, the list is HUGE!

I had a hard time at school with the other kids seeing my skin condition as something they could make a fun of and tease me for.  ‘Scabby Queen’ was a nickname I was given in my first year of high school which did nothing for my confidence as a young girl.

Living with eczema affects so many parts of your life. From the clothes you wear, to what you wash with, what you eat, how you feel about yourself.  When your skin is broken and sore it makes you feel dirty and unattractive and broken and sore! It makes you self-conscious.  It affects your self-confidence and self-esteem. It affects your mental health.  You don't actually feel comfortable in your own skin.

So I'm putting my trainers back on. I signed up for this event back in October, after getting my charity place. My skin had been great for years and then it started to flare up last summer and I've not been able to get control of it since then.  I'm not going for a time and I'll be carrying an injury but I'll get over that finish line.

This is a very personal one so if you can spare a few pounds or pennies I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for reading and thank you. Natalie X