Chard four-year-old fundraises for Eczema Outreach Support

Ezra Venn was diagnosed with eczema when he was a baby and his family has tried countless treatments for his condition. 

His skin can get so bad that his eczema gets infected and turns into painful abscesses that leave him struggling to move. 

Ezra also suffers from allergies to dairy, soya, animals, and grass which can further irritate his skin.

Despite his condition, his mum Dawn said he “is generally a really positive and happy boy”.

She said: “We noticed his skin would get inflamed when he was just a few months old and that started the backwards and forwards to the GP.

“We were told it was mild and would go away but it just kept getting worse with no creams seeming to work.

“Eventually, we were referred to Bristol Royal Children's Hospital when he was 10 months old and we started going to the dermatology department.”

Ezra was diagnosed with eczema when he was a baby and has suffered with the condition since.   

Since then, Ezra has been given ointments, creams, steroids, and antibiotics but has yet to find any relief for his painful skin condition.

He will start immunosuppressant therapy in the summer, which his family hopes will be the effective treatment he needs.  

While eczema affects one in five children, only a small percentage are affected to the extent Ezra is.  

“Ezra's skin condition affects every second of our day, we have to make sure whatever we are doing factors in time to apply creams and make sure his allergies won't be affected,” said Dawn. 

“There are lots of activities we just can't do. If it is a sunny day, I would love to be able to take the kids to the beach or be outside all day but we know that is likely to cause a flare and for Ezra to be in pain.  

“He has started to notice that his skin is different and asks why no one else has sore, itchy skin like him.

“And we have had horrible comments from people too, asking if he has been burned or if he is contagious.

“It's heartbreaking and, as a parent, you just feel so helpless - I just wish I could take it away from him.”

While looking for help online, Dawn found Eczema Outreach Support (EOS) and signed her family up as members. 

EOS is a UK charity for children and young people with eczema.

It supports over 3,000 families and organises family get-togethers, hosts online events with skin experts, and allows families to connect.

Ezra experiences regular flare-ups.

Ezra, who starts primary school in September, will take on a walking challenge for EOS to give back to the charity and help other children with the condition.

He is walking 5,000 steps per day in May and getting his family and friends to sponsor him.  

Dawn said: “He said he wanted to get pennies for EOS to help other children and decided to do the month long walk challenge.” 

Christine Roxburgh, CEO of the charity, said: “The whole EOS team are backing Ezra on his walk. 

“We hear from families all the time that having eczema can feel isolating and we are here to help people feel less alone.

“Eczema is a life long condition that can often be misunderstood but EOS aims to connect families and support them on their eczema journey.”  

You can find out more about Ezra's fundraiser and donate online by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dawn-king11.