Learning to live with eczema

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Te Puke Times

Author Kristin Kelly was born with eczema and has had her own experiences of lifelong eczema which, coupled with her nursing and teaching background, inspired this book. She hopes it helps children with eczema feel understood and they see themselves in Mitchell

We asked her some questions:

Why did you write Mitchell Itches? I wrote Mitchell Itches because I was looking for an early childhood book on eczema and couldn’t find one that accurately described what it is like to have eczema. I wanted to write a book that would hold up a mirror to children with eczema so that they could see themselves represented in a book in a positive light. Children who deal with eczema are resilient — they have to be diligent about skin care, stoic in the face of setbacks, deal with pain and itch and infection, and still carry on with the business of childhood. Stories have the power to transform us, and I wanted those children to feel seen, understood and celebrated for the daily effort it takes to manage their condition.

How will this book help families with eczema? This book talks about how to care for yourself if you have eczema. Through Mitchell’s experience we learn what helps eczema and what doesn’t, and how important skin care is to the management of eczema. Consistency with managing the skin barrier is essential to prevent flares, infection and even future allergies (a “leaky” skin barrier can lead to sensitivities). This book reinforces good care and I hope this helps families in establishing a routine for their child with eczema and understanding common triggers. This book will also hopefully help those children and families feel seen and give them a morale boost, it can be isolating dealing with a chronic condition that isn’t talked about.

How much research did you need to do for your book? This book represents a lifetime of research into managing this condition, as a patient, as a parent of a child with eczema and as a nurse. I keep up with the latest research, mainly through podcasts, internet groups, my specialist and doctor, and through other...