Andrew Proctor
333 posts

Andrew Proctor
@andy1online
Chief Executive of National Eczema Society. Passionate about supporting and championing the needs of everyone living with eczema. Views here my own.











“The main lesson I learned was to be prepared and speak up about my condition, not to be passive, especially about how severely it affected me.” – Luke. Luke has lived with eczema since childhood, but when he went to university his skin flared severely, leaving him exhausted and struggling to cope. It wasn’t until he reached out to his GP and dermatology team that he began to get the support he needed. Today, Luke is managing his eczema, enjoying life again, and even running to raise awareness and support others living with the condition. Read Luke’s full story, here 👉 bit.ly/4pqACDt



To launch National Eczema Week, we’re sharing Chloe’s story – her experiences highlight the importance of feeling heard in healthcare, which is at the heart of this year's theme. Chloe has lived with eczema since birth. At times, it’s been so severe she’s needed hospital treatment. Alongside the physical challenges, she has faced exhaustion, pain, and the emotional toll of managing a long-term condition. But one thing that has made a huge difference is the support she’s received from her GP. Chloe says: “I feel truly listened to and understood in our appointments, which has been a lifeline through the hardest times with my eczema.” Despite the daily struggles, Chloe refuses to let eczema hold her back. She’s completed two degrees, built a career as a social worker, and is currently in training to run a marathon! Her story shows what’s possible when people with eczema are heard and supported. 👉 Read Chloe’s full story: bit.ly/4gmci1l




This Sunday, our incredible supporter Amy is taking on the Great North Run – and we couldn’t be more inspired by her determination! 🌟 Hi, I’m Amy, and I’m living proof of how tough and isolating eczema can be. I’ve battled severe eczema for most of my life, and for years, I was prescribed topical steroids without fully understanding the long-term effects. Eventually, my body couldn’t take it anymore, and I developed Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) – a brutal, often misunderstood reaction to stopping steroid creams after prolonged use. It turned my world upside down. During TSW, Amy’s skin became unbearably painful, red, itchy, and raw. She struggled to sleep, go to work, and even leave the house. There’s no approved treatment for TSW, and recovery is slow and uncertain. Yet even while training for the Great North Run, she has faced challenging skin flares – and she hasn’t let them stop her. Her determination to keep going is a powerful reminder of the resilience required to live with eczema and TSW. Amy is running to support research aimed at developing new treatment options – including non-steroidal alternatives – and to help people living with eczema and related conditions like TSW. She has already surpassed her fundraising target, but she’s continuing to push forward to raise as much awareness as possible about what she’s doing and why it matters 💙 Amy says, “Your support could help fund the future of eczema care – one that offers hope, healing, and options beyond steroids.” If you’re inspired by Amy’s journey and want to support her challenge, you can find the link to her donation page in our bio 🙏 Good luck, Amy – thank you for running for all of us! 👏



We’re looking for new Trustees to join our Board! This is a fantastic opportunity to use your skills and experience to make a real difference for the millions of people in the UK living with eczema. As a Trustee, you’ll play a vital role in shaping our strategy, strengthening our voice, and helping us improve the lives of everyone affected by eczema. We’re particularly keen to hear from people with professional expertise in: • Income generation • Health policy • Legal/HR If you’re passionate about using your expertise to shape a better future for people with eczema, we’d love to hear from you. Apply by 30 September ⬇️ bit.ly/3JqvU8d












