TO those people without the condition, eczema is often thought of as nothing more than a mild irritation which causes dry skin.

However, as part of National Eczema Week, sufferers have spoken out about how it affects them daily - from the hurtful comments and stares to limiting what they can eat in an attempt to control it.

Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked. There is no cure, but the symptoms can sometimes be managed with lotions and moisturisers.

Both Caz Gray’s son and husband have the condition.

Mrs Gray, 44, from Shoebury, said: “My son, Lewis Gray, has suffered with eczema since he was seven days old and he will be 15 in January.

“As a baby his whole body was covered.

“It was so painful and sore.

“We continuously spent all day using creams, washing him in medicated lotion and changing him to help relieve the pain.

“The worst moment was when I was in a supermarket and a woman asked me how did he burn his face.

“It was a really bad flare up and his face was very sore, red and weeping.

“I was heartbroken.

“It’s the stares and whispering comments that really hurt me as a mum.

“I now keep a note of what he eats so I can work out what causes his skin to flare up.

“I discovered that it was milk products, so he can only have these foods in small amounts.”

However, she said this is difficult, especially in summer, as Lewis loves ice cream and other foods with dairy such as cheesy pizza.

Her husband David, 41 has also suffered with eczema from birth.

She said: “Like our son he also has hayfever and asthma.

“If you have one, then you are more likely to suffer with the others too.

“One’s bad enough but all three is a nightmare.

“When David was small there did not seem to be options for treatment.

“Being treated for one would set off a reaction to another - it was as though he was just going round in a vicious circle.

“A real bad flare up would see my husband wrapped in bandages to stop him scratching.

“Over the years he has managed it a lot better which I think is due to the fact that our son is a sufferer and we have done a lot of research into it and tried many different diets and medication, creams and lotions.

“One day I’m sure they will find a cure.”

Emma Stewart, 43, from Pitsea, also lives with the condition.

She said: “I suffer with it on my hands and arms.

“As a baby it was a lot worse.

“My eczema comes in episodes but when it is bad, it can make my job quite hard as my job is customer facing and it can be unsightly.

“I found a prescribed steroid cream helps when the eczema is at its worst and baby moisturiser helps to keep it at bay.”

National Eczema Week took place this week and aimed at raising awareness of the condition.

It is organised annually by the National Eczema Society, which provides support and information to sufferers.

For more information on the charity and the work it does, visit eczema.org