FREE FROM ECZEMA
IS THIS THE RIGHT TREATMENT FOR YOU?
As with any form of treatment, you need to judge whether you think this programme can help you or your child. Here is some information you can use to help you decide.
Who is suitable for the programme?
The programme is useful for chronic atopic eczema sufferers. It focusses on the habit of scratching that is established in this group of people, so if you aren't scratching a lot (I'm very surprised, but some people say that they are not) then this programme may not be for you.
What age do sufferers have to be?
The programme that is run at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is used with children as young as eight. Doctors there also offer a modified version of the programme to children under the age of eight, which requires the active participation of the child's parents.
The book does not specify how old a sufferer has to be to use it. Adults and teenangers can easily follow the programme. I would suggest that parents with young children should also buy the book if their child is aware that they are scratching, has some control over their decision to scratch, and if the parent themselves is willing to take an active role in helping the child use the book.
Are there any side-effects of the programme?
No. This is a very safe treatment. If your eczema does not get better there is certainly no risk that I am aware of that your eczema will get worse, or that you will have any other problems.
Does it involve pills/creams etc.?
You will continue to use emollients and steroid creams and will be advised as to how to judge whether you are using them correctly. There are no other pills/potions/lotions involved.
Apart from the book and the hand-counter, what else do I need?
Will-power, time and support. The book does require a certain amount of determination to see the programme through and desire to be rid of eczema. The programme itself is not time consuming in the sense that you don't have to spend hours working through stuff...but it's a bit like having a cold - for the time you are working on the programme, you will have to put effort into managing your health. This will mean constantly monitoring your scratching and logging various bits of information as you go along.
In the short-term it is hard work sticking to the programme and following it strictly, but the results are really worth it. One way to make sure you get to the end is to get your friends and family on board. Having support is not essential, you can certainly do the programme on your own, but it will help you get to the end.
