Vacation Isn't a Getaway with Eczema

When you think of vacation, what comes to mind? Perhaps a new place or somewhere warm with beautiful beaches or mountains. Or maybe it’s special bonding time with family or friends? A chance to get away from your busy day-to-day routine. All of this is typically filled with excitement and anticipation for the moment your plane takes off, or your car backs out of the driveway.

What do I have to pack for a vacation with eczema?

As I sat in my seat on the airplane, I reflected on this past week. It's January and I am traveling with my family to warm and sunny Florida to escape the cold Toronto winter. I am the kind of person who typically creates my packing list a couple weeks in advance, and slowly builds the list to add the important items I’m afraid I may forget. You see, as someone with eczema, packing requires me to bring many essential items that most people would never think of. Items such as towels, linen, soaps, body washes, of course my Cerave moisturizers in multiple sizes, and a whole slew of medications (many to have on standby in the event of a flare). Without these, it would severely impact my skin and my ability to enjoy the trip.

Why was packing such a calm experience?

This past week, I felt like I was living in a different reality. I knew I had a trip coming up in just a couple of days, but I didn’t feel pressure to pack. I felt calm and slightly excited for the upcoming trip! I had done nothing, not even a packing list!?  It was only 12 hours before we were scheduled to leave our home that I found myself starting to pack for myself and family. Packing this time was a very different experience. As I walked around my house, getting everything I needed, I felt so calm. It was felt like a was doing a mundane task, like washing dishes or brushing my teeth, things that I don’t really have to think too much about, whereas in the past packing was such a stressful experience filled with so much worry, what if I forget something that I need for my skin.

What changed?

I couldn’t quite understand why this was. What was different now? What had suddenly changed? And then it dawned on me. The last 30 years my skin has been quite unpredictable, with flares showing up at the most inconvenient times, travel being one of them. It’s one thing to have a flare up when you’re at home, with all the necessary meds, comfortable clothes. However, when on vacation and we have places to go, people to see and eczema flaring, it takes away the pleasure in everything, making it difficult to enjoy.

How have my treatments helped?

Since starting my new biologic, 2 years ago the flare ups I often had have drastically been reduced. My atopic dermatitis has been more under control and manageable. Historically, travel often meant flare ups, which made it hard to look forward to traveling, and instead would bring up nerves and anxiety. I can’t help but wonder, had these treatments been available when I was younger, how different so many decisions would have been - decisions like sleeping over at a friends’ house, or going to sleep away camp, traveling the world, continuing my education, choosing a career path, and so much more. So, when considering treatment plans, it isn’t always easy, there are many factors to consider, try think of big picture of all the positive changes in can have on the trajectory of your life!