Itch N Bitch

SKIN CONDITION support and self-help Resources

5–7 minutes

REMINDER: @itch_n_bitch is a safe space where you can come and ask for advice or meet & make friends with people who simply get the daily struggle of our skin but sadly we are not professionals.

Studies have shown

Sharing tips for coping through social media channels and provide forums for peer-to-peer support and shared learning are key.

70%

of British people with skin conditions or scars say it affects their confidence.

60%

of people in the UK currently have a skin condition or have previously had a skin condition.

Whilst talking to others can help, there comes a point where you may feel you want to have help learning more or even coping mechanisms for anxiety or the ups and downs of living with eczema.

Support those suffering by donating towards a itchy care package here.

This blog has a list of charities/ resources that can help!

YOUNG PEOPLE please check out https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/coping-with-the-mental-health-impact-of-atopic-eczema/

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Skin specific mental health support is called Psychodermatology. Psychodermatology addresses the interaction between mind and skin. Psychiatry is more focused on the “internal” non visible disease, and dermatology is focused on the “external” visible disease.

ECZEMA

  • Eczema Outreach Support is a free service for families who have a child with eczema in the UK. EOS supports 4,000 children with eczema across the UK and their families. They offer one on one tailored support for children aged 0-17 and their parents or carers. https://eos.org.uk/get-support/
  • National Eczema Society provides information, advice, and emotional support for people living with eczema and their families through their free, confidential, nurse-supported Helpline (eczema.org/helpline/). 
  • Talk Health’s FREE 12-week myeczemachild is designed to help you navigate your child’s treatment options and support you as you support them. https://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/support/eczema
  • Parents of Children with Eczema and Chronic Skin Issues

PSORIASIS

  • Psoriasis is more than just a skin condition, and it can affect people physically and psychologically. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, it is important to remember that it can be managed. With the right treatment and advice, many people live well with psoriasis. https://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/

GENERAL (all skin conditions)

  • B.A.D – A range of resources designed to support the wellbeing of people with skin diseases. Please select from one of our nine support categories https://www.skinsupport.org.uk/content/support-materials
  • Changing Faces offers a free skin camouflage consultation service (https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/skin-camouflage) and one-to-one sessions with a Wellbeing Practitioner for children and adults in the UK who have a condition, mark or scar that affects their appearance (https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/adviceandsupport/adults).
  • Most patient support groups offer information, booklets or factsheets on the management and treatment for the respective skin condition, including its psychological components. A list of patient support groups can be found here: https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/support-resources/patient-support-groups/
  • OUTLOOK – A national, highly specialist psychological service based at North Bristol NHS Trust, supporting adults (16+) with appearance-related distress. They can provide face-to-face and remote support via NHS Attend AnyWhere. Please speak to your GP or healthcare professional to discuss a referral. https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-services/outlook/outlook-service
  • A number of patient support groups offer helplines that provides support and information to people living with a skin condition, this includes but is not limited to: Changing Faces, Psoriasis Association, Herpes Viruses Association, National Eczema Society, Behcet’s UK, Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK, British Porphyria Association, Anaphylaxis Campaign, Allergy UK, and Alopecia UK. 

TSW SPECIFIC

HYPNOTHERAPY by a fellow itchy warrior, Jennifer Austin

Talk to someone who gets it, no need to overexplain. Break out of the itch-scratch cycle by prioritizing your mental health. Caring and professional Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. Focusing on your future, not your past. Underpinned by neuroscience, with elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Neurolinguistic Programming. Be in control of your own brain and rewire your thought patterns to overcome anxiety, depression, stress, habits, and sleep issues.

Online sessions worldwide

MINDFULNESS SUPPORT

Theres techniques you can learn which involves noticing what’s happening in the present moment, without judgment. You might take notice and be aware of your mind, body or surroundings.

Mindfulness meditation has been shown to provide some degree of relief in dozens of medical conditions, including pain, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and more. So it’s little surprise that it’s also been shown to lessen the symptoms in chronic conditions such as eczema.

If you have eczema, there are areas of your brain that are “overactive,” which causes the release of the stress hormone cortisol and other markers of inflammation such as histamines. One small pilot study from Emory University found that meditation helped reduce the urge to itch by deactivating those areas of the brain.

HAIRLOSS

“I remember sitting there hair falling out, skin flaring, and thinking f*ck what have I got going for me? Bauld and flakey at 20.” – ME, AKA @Mackies_Moments

Sadly for some itchy skin can lead to hairloss or even the stress of the itchy skin can cause it. It’s honestly a vicious cycle and one I know all too well. The best thing I ever did was speak to someone about the way my hair loss was making me feel. I truly believe I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t reached out and asked for help.

Talk is healing.

ALLERGIES

REMINDER: @itch_n_bitch is a safe space where you can come and ask for advice or meet & make friends with people who simply get the daily struggle of our skin.

BIG LOVE AND VIRTUAL HUGS,
@Mackies_Moments x