My Ecz-ellent Day at Camp

My ECZ-ellent Day At Camp Written by Tracee Blackburn, PA-C in collaboration with Understand AD Illustrated by George Sweetland © 2022 Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceutical s, Inc. All rights reserved.

Content was developed in collaboration with Sanofi, Regeneron and the National Eczema Association for Understand AD. Disclaimer: The content of this book is not intended as medical advice. Families should check with their healthcare professionals regarding the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

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Dad says, "Taylor, this is your camp counselor, Alex."

Mr. Alex says, 'Welcome Taylor! Let's get ready to have some fun!''

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Taylor gives Alex a high-five and proceeds inside.

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Taylor goes inside. Taylor is ECl-ited to see there is so much to do! ;,�· / :

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It is time for breakiast,

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All the kids scrambl outside. There are so � .... many options. Some kids want to go swimming, while others want to play basketball. �,

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Taylor once again becomes nervous and goes to sit down.

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Avery says, "Oh! Well, I have a brokeh''tfl•) arm, so I have to be careful around water, too, because of my cast. But guess what!? I'm going on a nature walk in the shade. Do you want to come with me?''

Taylor says, ''ECl-ellent idea!"

Taylor adds a hat to protect from the heat and sun.

They go for a walk, observing nature and making friends.

Avery wonders, "Can I catch your eczema?"

Taylor tells Avery, "Don't worry, eczema isn't contagious, which means you can't catch it from me or anyone else."

What are the symptoms of eczema in kids?

• Itching and rashes are most common on the inside of elbows, behind the knees and on the face, but it can affect any part of the body.

• Rashes are the visible signs of what's going on much deeper underneath the skin. For people with eczema, scratching an itch may make it worse, damaging the skin and causing more inflammation, which can intensify redness and swelling. This is called an ''itch-scratch'' cycle.

• Living with eczema can affect many aspects of a person's life. The social, psychological and emotional impact of poorly controlled eczema goes far beyond physical symptoms.

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When do children experience the symptoms?

• Eczema primarily begins early in life, with more than 85o/o of cases beginning before the age of five.

• Eczema can vary in severity over time, with symptoms appearing more intensely during certain periods.

• Symptoms can be triggered by seasonal changes, environmental irritants and allergens.

• Common triggers of eczema include dry skin, heat, sweating, perfumes, dust or certain foods. Stress can also be a trigger, which may be caused by the symptoms of the disease, its management or related emotional consequences of eczema such as teasing or social isolation.

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How is eczema managed?

There is currently no cure for eczema, but it can be managed.

Managing eczema will be different for every child, but may include: • Understanding what triggers the child's symptoms and limiting contact with any known irritants.

• Wearing the right clothes. For example, soft, breathable clothing made of natural fibers is less likely to irritate the skin.

• Managing the emotions and stress associated with eczema.

• Applying medication and moisturizers as needed throughout the day.

• Using medication consistently and as prescribed. For a child, a caregiver will need to support here.

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Talking About Eczema with Your Child The effects of uncontrolled eczema go well beyond the visible symptoms you see, which is why communication with children is so important.

Helpful tips

• Talk to the child about their eczema, asking them to share how they are feeling - both physically and emotionally - so that you can help where possible.

• If the child is having trouble sharing how they feel, experiment with different approaches such as drawing or, for younger children, acting out a situation using their toys.

• Set up a signal with the child so that they can easily let you know if they are feeling particularly itchy so you can help.

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Teasing and social isolation can sadly be common for children with eczema, who often have to cope with a lack of understanding from others. It's a good idea to talk to other children about eczema so that they know what it is and what their friend may be • • exper1enc1ng.

You may find using sentences like these helpful when teaching other children: • Eczema or AD is a disease that causes itching and rashes on the skin.

• Eczema or AD is not contagious like a cold. You can't catch it.

• Eczema or AD makes skin very dry, which is why you may see someone itching.

• Eczema or AD comes and goes - some days are better than others.

• Eczema or AD can be uncomfortable, but it can be even worse' when other people make fun of someone with eczema. It's important to be kind to everyone.

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We hope you find this information useful in supporting children with eczema or AD. Remember to visit: www.UnderstandAD.com and www.NationalEczema.org for more information.

National Eczema Association

REGENERON

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Understand AD is an awareness program supported by Sanofi and Regeneron in partnership with the National Eczema Association (NEA). The program aims to shine a light on the everyday burdens that people living with or caring for someone with AD face and provide resources and support as they navigate these struggles.

We created "My ECZ-ellent Day at Camp" to give children living with moderate-tosevere AD a story about someone like them, show how they can embrace what makes them unique and provide some practical examples of how they can find ways to enjoy camp activities with their peers. We hope the story might also serve to help illustrate ways to support children with moderate-to-severe AD to teachers, counselors and others who may care for a child with this disease.

Tracee Blackburn, PA-C, is a Board-Certified Physician Assistant, specializing in dermatology. She also cares for a bonus son living with eczema and can relate to other parents of children with this disease. "My ECZ-ellent Day at Camp" was written

by Tracee, reflects insights from other caregivers in the AD community, and includes input and guidance from Sanofi, Regeneron and the National Eczema Association.

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