Brisbane mum reveals struggles living with chronic eczema

A Brisbane mum of three has revealed that she tried to take her own life due to her struggle to live with a chronic manifestation of a skin condition that affects 30 per cent of Australians. Read her story of survival.

A Brisbane mum of three has revealed that she tried to take her own life due to her struggle living with a severe skin disorder.

Cath Davies and her daughter Indigo have been living with chronic eczema for the past few years.

The condition is so debilitating for Ms Davies, that her family have spent thousands of dollars on specialists and treatments including elimination diets, wet wraps, steroids, herbs, vitamins, and bleach baths.

Cathy Davies and her daughter Indigo. Picture: Supplied

It got so bad that during a particularly bad flare up, Ms Davies admits she tried to take her own life.

“I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said.

“I was a blob of infected flesh and had serious steroid-induced health issues and couldn’t sleep.

“It’s exhausting, you just want to find something that lets you live a normal life. It drives you into that place and you feel like you’re a burden because you can’t function anymore and can’t do what you’re meant to offer the world.

“It destroys you from the inside out. I know it’s not the answer but I just wanted it to stop.”

The only thing that gives Ms Davies and her daughter some respite is the eczema and psoriasis cream from Australian natural skincare brand MooGoo.

Adults with eczema are three times more likely to suffer depression than those without the condition, with data showing more than 20 per cent have considered suicide.

“People underestimate the mental, depression and isolation,” Ms Davies added.

“I can’t work due to my eczema, have been hospitalised several times and am even allergic to my own sweat.

“It’s emotionally draining and life limiting. Indigo and I suffer from head to toe, but our worst spots are our hands, which are ravaged.

“They’re itchy and raw with deep cracks, oozing and bleeding with red hot inflamed lesions, sometimes right down to the bone, and it smells like your body is rotting from the inside, so you’re even more self-conscious.”

Eczema. Picture: Supplied

Ms Davies said she was inspired to tell her story as part of Eczema Awareness Month, so her daughter doesn’t have to suffer.

“I have grave fears for her as she’s young, bright and beautiful,” she said.

“More needs to be done to educate people to be supportive, and that it’s not contagious.”

Indigo Davies with clear skin. Indigo has been living with chronic eczema for the past few years. Picture: Supplied

Melody Livingstone, CEO of Australian natural skin care brand MooGoo, stressed the importance of education, as well as trying to keep the symptoms under control.

“With sensitive skin and issues such as eczema, or when the skin has thinned, the protective barrier is weak and when broken is susceptible to infection,” Ms Livingstone said.

“Despite eczema becoming more common, there’s still surprisingly little understanding around how to manage it, so it’s important to use a good quality moisturiser to maintain skin barrier function and stop it drying out and becoming itchy or cracked.”

If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au.