The other day, I was chatting with a friend about my daughter’s eczema and everything I do to manage it. She said something that stopped me in my tracks — she thought I was a carer for my daughter.
That word surprised me. I look after my daughter because I’m her mum — surely that doesn’t make me a carer… does it?
What Does It Mean to Be a Carer?
At Eczema Outreach Support, we hear from many parents who feel the same. They do everything any loving parent would do — but they also take on extra responsibilities because their child has eczema.
According to VOCAL (Scotland),
“An unpaid carer supports a family member, partner, relative or friend, of any age, who needs help to manage a long-term condition, disability, physical or mental health condition.”
So, if you’re providing ongoing care and support for your child because of their eczema, you are a carer — even if you’ve never thought of yourself that way.
The Hidden Impact of Caring for a Child with Eczema
Living with a child who has a chronic skin condition brings extra challenges that can affect the whole family. Parents often tell us how exhausting it can be when their child struggles to sleep because of constant itching. Many share a bed with their child to help prevent scratching or get up during the night to reapply creams and calm flares.
These disrupted nights quickly take a toll on parents’ mental and physical wellbeing.
Daytimes can be equally demanding. Parent/carers of children with eczema might find themselves making frequent visits to school or nursery to reapply emollients, managing flare-ups, or supporting their child to cope with the emotional distress eczema can cause. Advocating for your child to receive the right treatments and support also takes time, energy, and persistence.
Alongside the everyday responsibilities of parenting, caring for a child with eczema can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. That’s why EOS is shining a light on the support available for parents who deliver care to a child/ren with eczema.
Why Recognising Yourself as a Carer Matters
Many parents don’t realise that what they’re doing is caring — and that means they might be missing out on valuable support for themselves. Remember:
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Caring for your child is incredibly important but so is caring for yourself.
Support Is Out There
At Eczema Outreach Support (EOS), we understand how vital it is for parent/carers to feel supported. During our one-to-one calls with families, we can signpost you to your local carer support centre — there’s one in every local authority across the UK.
Carer centres can help you access:
- Financial advice and benefits support
- Counselling and wellbeing resources
- Respite opportunities
- Employment rights for carers
- And much more
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Recognising yourself as a carer is the first step to getting the support you deserve. Early identification makes a big difference to your health and wellbeing — and helps you continue caring for your child without burning out.
If you’d like to find out what support is available in your area, please email us at info@eos.org.uk — we’re here to help.
