Welcome back to SKIN Journeys: an exciting new series where we spotlight members of our community and their eczema success stories. Here, in their own words, they’ll get real about their personal experiences with eczema and the impact it’s had on their lives and how Gladskin ultimately changed the game for them.
Meet Lauren Williams, a mom who knew little about eczema until her son started having itchy red flare-ups on his elbows and legs at the age of two.
“I never had any experience with eczema before my son started having flare-ups at age two, mostly on his elbows and the backs of his knees. Since then, it’s been a constant struggle with messy medicine applications, stressing over forgetting to apply, and seeing my son in discomfort—and sometimes, in pain. He's four now, so it’s been years of reminding him not to scratch. The poor kid couldn't get any relief."
Struggling to find a solution
“Why should I need to wear gloves while applying a medication? I immediately started looking for other options.”
Our pediatrician recommended a steroid oil that did help some, but it was an actual oil, so it was messy and had to be covered by clothing so that it didn't get on everything. Also, the instructions suggested we wear gloves when we applied it, which worried me. Why should I need to wear protection while applying a medication?
I immediately started looking for other options. Hydrocortisone cream was another suggestion that we used, and there were always recommendations for excessive amounts of over-the-counter creams and lotions. When we switched pediatricians, she recommended we stop using the steroid creams and oils because they could cause permanent pigment changes. I was shocked that this wasn't even mentioned as a side effect to me before.
“My son was on the verge of tears because he said it felt like fire.”
We then tried a new popular—and very expensive—prescription ointment, which seemed to help, but within a few days, my son was on the verge of tears because he said it felt like fire. I began Googling this reaction and found many adults saying the same, so we immediately discontinued use and began the search for something new. Throughout all of this, we've been working to identify any environmental triggers for his flare-ups. I believe that the two main triggers are dairy and our pool, but with three other siblings swimming and consuming all things dairy, these are not easily avoidable.
Finally finding relief
One day, I was reading an Instagram post that shared a personal experience with eczema and how quickly Gladskin improved her flare-ups. She also shared how helpful the brand was when she had questions about ingredients and alternative formulas.
“Within a few days, his flare-ups were gone and the skin was smooth and soft. He kept saying, ‘Mommy, it's healed! It healed so fast!”
I immediately bought two bottles and crossed my fingers this would finally be that ‘magic formula’ to bring my son relief. In short: It is. Within one day, the redness was gone, there was no itch, and while there were still some rough patches, even that was considerably more hydrated. Within a few days, his flare-ups were gone and the skin was smooth and soft. He kept saying: ‘Mommy, it's healed! It healed so fast!’
Dubbing it “a magic potion”
Now, occasional applications keep his eczema almost invisible and I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s made a tremendously positive impact on my son's daily life—as well as mine, as a momma that worries.
To other parents out there: Give Gladskin a try! It is as close to a magic potion as I've found, and I hope it works for you like it has for my family.”