Rachel’s Testimony
Persisting Through the Pain of Eczema
Rachel has lived with chronic hand eczema for over 13 years, through which she has managed persistent, painful symptoms while raising four children and building a career in the public health sector. Her condition causes her hands to become cracked, sore, and intensely itchy, which she describes as “a second track in her brain,” constantly demanding mental effort to manage and has often woken her up from sleep.
In the early stages, Rachel relied on topical creams and advice from her family doctor, but despite ongoing flare-ups, she didn’t receive a referral to a dermatologist for years. When she finally saw a dermatologist, the travel required to access care made it unsustainable to continue long term.
Rachel’s experience with long wait times, inconsistent referrals, and limited coverage left her feeling like she had to navigate the healthcare system on her own. She advocates for dermatology to be integrated into a collaborative care model that brings together multiple specialties, with early intervention as the standard, not the exception.
Rachel hopes she can help shift the conversation around skin health, emphasizing the need for more dermatologists, better coverage, and greater recognition of the significant impact these conditions have on overall health and well-being.