Let’s Talk About Chronic Illness: Rethinking How We Manage Eczema

Eczema is one of the most common chronic skin conditions, affecting both children and adults across the UK. For many of us — and I say us because I’ve lived it too — the goal has always been the same: find a cure. But what if that way of thinking is holding us back?

Eczema Isn’t Just a Skin Condition — It’s a Chronic Illness
Unlike a rash that clears up and never returns, eczema often follows a long-term cycle of flare-ups and relief. This makes it more than a surface-level issue — it’s a chronic illness, just like many autoimmune conditions. The emotional toll is just as significant as the physical one: stress, sleepless nights, and frustration can all come with the territory.

What If We Shifted the Focus from Curing to Managing?
In diseases like Crohn’s or rheumatoid arthritis, the term remission is widely used — and accepted. It means symptoms are under control, not necessarily gone forever. But in the eczema world, we don’t often use that language. Maybe we should.

Your skin can absolutely settle. You can go years without a flare. But that doesn’t mean the condition is gone — and that’s okay. Understanding this helps manage expectations and take pressure off yourself or your child.

Why This Shift Matters for You — and for the Next Generation
By reframing the conversation around remission, we also take away a lot of the shame. There’s no failure in flaring up again. It doesn’t mean the creams “didn’t work” or that you did something wrong — it means your body is responding to a trigger, and now it needs extra care.

For parents, teaching your child this early on can be empowering. Instead of promising a magical fix, you’re teaching them how to understand and work with their body — and that’s lifelong resilience.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
At Calma, we talk a lot about education, empathy, and long-term care. We believe in honest skincare and honest conversations. That’s why we’ll keep sharing blog posts like this — so you can learn, relate, and feel seen.

If this resonated with you, stick around. We’re building a library of resources that speak your language — whether you’re an eczema warrior yourself or caring for one at home.