things came to a head recently when she found herself in the shower at 1 a.m. under a stream of cold water, screaming. “my skin was blowing up and i felt like a flame, like a human torch,” she says. “my husband said, ‘we’re going to the er.’”
that trip to the emergency department led to a meeting with a dermatologist. “i told her i wasn’t leaving her office,” says thompson. “i said, ‘i don’t care what you have to do, but i can’t live like this anymore.’”
that meeting signalled a turning point for thompson, who says once the dermatologist saw the condition of thompson’s skin, she was determined to find a solution.
“i didn’t cover up at all. i had on a tank top, and i wasn’t wearing any makeup,” she says. “so, the doctor got to see the full extent of the damage.”
today, thompson says her life is different. “the summer of 2024 was one of the best summers i’ve ever had,” she says. “it was the first year i freely wore t-shirts, went to the beach and didn’t worry about my skin. i had so much fun hanging out with my children.”
most importantly, thompson says she is no longer in pain and the itch is under control.
november is eczema awareness month in canada, and thompson says she wants to share a message of hope with other people living with eczema. she suggests you talk to your doctor about treatment options.