October is Eczema Awareness Month

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the fact that eczema—the umbrella term for a group of non-contagious, inflammatory skin conditions—affects more than 30 million Americans, most people choose to keep their eczema a secret out of embarrassment or fear of other people's reactions.

October is Eczema Awareness Month, and the National Eczema Association (NEA) is launching a nationwide movement to #unhideECZEMA once and for all.

"The more people who are willing to bring their eczema out of the shadows and shed some light on this common skin disease, the better our chances of fighting the stigma surrounding it," said NEA President and CEO Julie Block.

NEA's mission for EAM 2018 is to encourage people living with eczema and their supporters to unhide eczema within their own communities through the following ways:

• Share their stories on social media with photos, videos and words using the hashtags #eczemaawarenessmonth #eczemamonth #EAM2018 #nationaleczema #imnotjustmyeczema #eczemawarrior #unhideECZEMA
• Complete weekly emails to show the impact of eczema on daily lives for people living with eczema, caretakers and health care providers
• Ask their state policymakers to declare October as Eczema Awareness Month
• Raise funds for eczema research by becoming an Itching for a Cure virtual walker or support an existing Itching for a Cure fundraiser
• Register for NEA's Oct. 17 webinar, "Unhide Eczema: Storytelling for Healing"

"We know it takes courage to speak openly about one's eczema. That's why we refer to our community members as 'Eczema Warriors.' Not only are they battling symptoms that greatly impact their quality of life—they're helping NEA take a stand against the fear, misunderstanding, and isolation so commonly associated with this disease," Block said.

For more information about EAM 2018, visit EczemaMonth.org

About National Eczema Association

The National Eczema Association is a national nonprofit patient advocacy organization dedicated to eczema education and research. The association was founded in 1988 in Portland, Oregon, by individuals with eczema, nurses, physicians and others concerned with the enormous social, medical and economic consequences of this disease. For more information, visit nationaleczema.org.

SOURCE National Eczema Association