Thank you to Regeneron and Sanofi for encouraging me to share my story and for sponsoring this post.
I’ve been making the most of the summer with a few beach trips squeezed in whenever the opportunity and time align. Like the rest of my friends, family, and followers, it takes careful planning. It always seems like some kind of win when you’ve been able to sync up schedules with your buddies, save the money, and find time off at work. Then, there’s the packing! You want to have enough food and drinks to fuel the fun in addition to all the cute beach bikinis and accessories.
For people like me living with moderate-to-severe eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis (AD), a trip to the beach presents another list of challenges. Summertime fun can sometimes be overshadowed by the challenges of managing symptoms from sweat, heat, salt water, and other triggers. I chose to partner with Sanofi and Regeneron on The Now Me: Beach Mode because I want people with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema to know that they are not alone—there is a whole community of people with eczema going through similar struggles.
Personally, I know the planning, packing, and even the excitement of a good beach vacation can be riddled with silent moments of discomfort. The slightest rub against sand or a rough towel, or too much time wet and without lotion will lead to persistent itching and rashes that make me feel less than cute. So, I come prepared with a little extra help for the vacation home and the beach…
How I Activate My Beach Mode with Eczema
I’ve picked up a few hacks that help me manage my eczema symptoms while at the beach.
I always have lotion close by: If I hop in the ocean or walk through the sand, I make sure I have a small bottle (or a big bottle!) of lotion to apply on my skin after I get wet. It helps soothe irritation that may come later.
I bring lots of fresh water: I always have plenty of fresh water around, both to stay hydrated and to rinse off my skin when I feel hot or get sandy, as sand can also irritate my skin. Hydration is key to healthy skin.
Sunscreen is crucial: A sunburn can be especially challenging for people with moderate-to-severe eczema. I make sure to apply sunscreen regularly and wear a good hat. If you have eczema, paying attention to the ingredients in your sunscreen is also important.
I keep dry clothes ready: I never like to sit around in a wet suit. My skin can get itchy quickly, so I always have cozy sweats and t-shirts around so I can throw them on if I do get wet.
Listen to your body: A full day at the beach can be strenuous, so it’s important for me to listen to my body and take breaks in the air conditioning when I can. Most friends understand–the heat can impact us all in different ways. I don’t feel bad about doing what’s right for my body.
Finding the Right Treatment Plan for You
While taking these steps can help manage your symptoms, it’s important to talk to your dermatologist to find the right treatment plan for you. I personally did and asked so many questions! Never hold back, my friends. My dermatologist was eager to answer and approached the opportunity to discuss treatment options for uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema. She had tons of helpful information to share with me so I could consider all of the factors for my own life.
I’m excited to be partnering with Sanofi and Regeneron on The Now Me: Beach Mode, a program to help empower people with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema to feel comfortable with their own skin. Dupixent (dupilumab) is a first-of-its-kind biologic treatment approved by the FDA used to treat people 6 months and older with moderate-to- severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. Dupixent works from the inside and can help you continuously treat your uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, even between flares when your skin may look clear. Dupixent is an injectable prescription medicine that can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.
While I am not currently on Dupixent, I want to share what I’ve learned. Everyone is different, so speaking to your healthcare provider about the right treatment plan for you is important.
Dupixent should not be used in patients who are allergic to Dupixent or to any of its ingredients. Please scroll down to see full Indication and Important Safety Information along with links to the prescribing information below.
I wanted to be involved in The Now Me: Beach Mode because I feel passionate about sharing my experience living with moderate-to-severe eczema. By sharing my experiences, I hope to help inspire others to find their own Now Me moments.
Join the community and watch the inspiring stories of people navigating their challenges with moderate-to-severe eczema on TheNowMe.com.
Learn More
You can learn more about The Now Me: Beach Mode program HERE and more about Dupixent at Dupixent.com
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have eye problems.
- have a parasitic (helminth) infection.
- are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” right before and during treatment with DUPIXENT.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby.
- A pregnancy registry for women who take DUPIXENT during pregnancy collects information about the health of you and your baby. To enroll or get more information call 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/dupixent/.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking oral, topical or inhaled corticosteroid medicines or if you have atopic dermatitis and asthma and use an asthma medicine. Do not change or stop your corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine to come back.
DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:
- Allergic reactions. DUPIXENT can cause allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms: breathing problems or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, fast pulse, fever, hives, joint pain, general ill feeling, itching, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, nausea or vomiting, or cramps in your stomach-area.
- Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision, such as blurred vision. Your healthcare provider may send you to an ophthalmologist for an eye exam if needed.
- Joint aches and pain. Some people who use DUPIXENT have had trouble walking or moving due to their joint symptoms, and in some cases needed to be hospitalized. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or worsening joint symptoms. Your healthcare provider may stop DUPIXENT if you develop joint symptoms.
The most common side effects in patients with atopic dermatitis include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It’s an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your healthcare provider will decide if you or your caregiver can inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to prepare and inject DUPIXENT until you or your caregiver have been trained by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it’s recommended DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. In children under 12 years of age, DUPIXENT should be given by a caregiver.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
INDICATION
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
DUP.22.08.0411
