Eczema Struggles: How to Build Your Kids' Emotional Resilience

by Cheryl Lie

Growing up, Jiayin had severe eczema, and her school years were marked by frequent flare-ups that left her skin red, inflamed, and painful. These visible patches made her feel self-conscious and she faced bullying from peers who didn’t understand why she was excused from sports activities.To distract herself from the pain, she turned to stress eating. The persistent itching + irritation made it hard to focus in class, and she often had to adjust how she sat to avoid worsening the sores on her skin. The emotional toll of feeling different from her peers affected her social development, leaving her feeling lonely and inferior. Although her family tried to support her, the years of exclusion and misunderstanding from others left a lasting impact on Jiayin’s sense of self-worth​.

Jiayin's story has been anonymised, but it's a real reflection of the challenges of every child who battles with eczema. How can parents support their children through the journey of eczema? 

1. CULTIVATE RESILIENCE THROUGH SELF-COMPASSION

Drawing on Brené Brown's work on Self-Compassion, it’s important for parents to model and teach their children how to be kind to themselves when eczema flares up. In Singapore’s intense academic environment, children may already feel immense pressure to “perform well,” and visible skin conditions can exacerbate their feelings of inadequacy. Instead of focusing on how different their skin makes them, parents can encourage self-acceptance and compassion. You can say things like, "It's okay to have bad skin days—everyone has challenges," reminding them that their worth is not tied to their appearance.

2. TEACH VULNERABILITY & EMOTIONAL AWARENESS

In Brown’s research, she stresses the importance of vulnerability and emotional awareness as a gateway to building meaningful connections. Children with eczema, like Jiayin, often face feelings of embarrassment and loneliness. Parents can help by validating their child's feelings without immediately offering solutions. For example, rather than rushing to say, "Don't scratch," try asking, "How are you feeling about your skin today?" Encouraging your child to express their emotions can make them feel heard and understood, which helps build emotional resilience.

3. BUILD EMPATHY

A big part of helping a child through eczema is building empathy, not only toward themselves but also in their social interactions. In Singapore’s competitive school environment, it’s easy for children to feel excluded or misunderstood. Help your child understand that they are not alone in their struggle. Join the Eczema Support Group Singapore if it helps them to meet other similar-aged children who have eczema. You should also help them practise what to reply classmates who ask about their condition. This may even foster deeper relationships and help others better understand the challenges of living with eczema. By coaching your child, it can help them feel more confident and less anxious when faced with tough questions. Encourage them to stay calm and composed, understanding that classmates might simply be curious.

When others ask why their skin is this way, your child can respond: 

  • "My skin has eczema, so it gets itchy and red. It’s not something to worry about, but thanks for asking."
  • "It looks this way because I have eczema. It can get really itchy and uncomfortable, but I’m learning to manage it."
  • "I have a skin condition called eczema. It makes my skin look different, but it’s not something I can control."
  • "Eczema makes my skin itchy and red, especially when it’s so hot in Singapore, but I have creams that help a lot."

4. CREATE SAFETY FOR THEM

In Singapore, the high humidity can worsen eczema symptoms. While we cannot change the climate, parents can create a controlled, eczema-friendly home environment. Using a dehumidifier, avoiding harsh detergents, and choosing breathable cotton clothing can make a huge difference in how children cope with their condition. Make your home a safe, non-judgmental space where your child feels physically and emotionally comfortable. To help them when they're on outings or at school, give them a travel-sized mild cleanser (SLS and fragrance-free) that they can use to wash their hands before meals.

5. USE STORIES TO BUILD EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE

One of the most effective ways to teach children emotional resilience is through storytelling, a technique often encouraged by Brown. Parents can use stories about people overcoming challenges (even fictional ones) to help children relate to their own experiences with eczema. You can also incorporate Singaporean contexts, such as stories about Singapore public figures (e.g. actress Priscelia Chan) or international athletes (e.g. Olympian Suni Lee) who have publicly shared their personal journeys in managing eczema, helping your child understand that their struggle does not define their future.

By focusing on empathy, vulnerability, and self-compassion, parents can play an essential role in helping their children navigate the challenges of eczema, not just physically but emotionally. 💕

 

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Does your child find it embarrassing or cumbersome to bring heavy creams to school? Pack our travel-sized (14g) creams such as the Eczema Fast Healing Cream, Psoriasis Control Face & Body Cream, or the Intense Fast Healing Cream in their bags and encourage them to apply them when needed. A good but bigger alternative at >100g would also include our Daily Calming Moisturizer -- perfect for daily use. 🍃
 

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