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Health and Beauty: Battling back against eczema
Her life has been blighted by a sore, itchy and unsightly skin condition. But instead of sitting back wallowing in self pity, Claire Coulton is doing her bit to help other sufferers
THERE can be few conditions more distressing for a woman than eczema.
As well as being sore, itchy and unsightly, it's the emotional effects that are often hardest to deal with – mainly triggered by the reactions of other people who wrongly believe it is catching.
According to a recent survey, a third of sufferers said they feel they had been discriminated against because of their condition, for which there is no cure.
Claire Coulton, of Northowram, Halifax, knows firs-hand how difficult life can be for those with eczema. She has had it since she was three months old and rather than get better with age, hers has got worse, with outbreaks on her hands causing her the most problems.
The 26-year-old says washing-up liquids and washing powders often burn her skin and she has to be really careful which products she uses.
"My hands crack and bleed which can be really painful. It doesn't help that I work in the catering industry – I run a sandwich bar off the M606 in Bradford with my mum, Dorothy – and have to wear gloves all the time for work for health reasons, and because it looks unsightly."
Claire, who has tried everything from steroids and creams to drugs and alternative health treatments, says like other eczema sufferers one of her biggest battles is trying not to scratch.
"It can keep you awake at night and drive you mad. The itchiness gets to you and can be disheartening because it comes to a point where you have to scratch."
She suffers from asthma too – the two are often linked – and says both are a part of her make-up which her boyfriend, Daniel, understands.
Flare-ups come and go but the condition can return at any time and its severity varies widely. The only thing that helps her is the sun.
Two of the things that keep her going are the fact that there are people in the world much worse off than her, and her religion. She has been attending Northowram Methodist Church since she was a baby and for the past few years has organised a family fun Day at the church with her mum.
This year's event on Saturday, June 20, is for four charities, among them the National Eczema Society.
Each charity – they are also raising money for the fire service, diabetes and epilepsy – will have a table displaying literature and information. Last year the event raised 1,800 but Claire hopes this year's event will raise 4,000 – 1,000 for each charity.
"I hope people come along and support the day. I want to let eczema sufferers know there is a charity and support group that can offer help and advice."
The National Eczema Society's helpline is 0800 0891122 or visit www.eczema.org. The Bradford and district eczema group next meets at 7.30pm on July 8 at St Luke's Hospital, Bradford.
Tickets for the fun day cost 50p and can be bought on the day or in advance by contacting Claire on 01422 200109 or clairecoulton1982 @hotmail.com
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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