In this episode of Life With a Difference, I speak with Amy (@Journey_of_Amy), who lives with severe eczema and is currently going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).

Amy shares openly about the physical pain, the mental health struggles, and the stigma of living with a visible difference. From being compared to a burns victim at her worst flare, to teaching children that “different is normal,” Amy’s honesty shines a light on what it’s really like to live with eczema on the extreme side of the spectrum.

We discuss:
• What TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal) actually is
• The devastating physical symptoms: swelling, redness, bone-deep itch, flaking & peeling
• The mental toll of eczema and suicidal thoughts that many never talk about
• Her journey through treatments: methotrexate, dupilumab, Rinvoq, cyclosporine & more
• Why self-advocacy at dermatology appointments is essential
• How children and students respond to visible difference in the classroom
• The role of community and connection in coping with chronic illness
• Hope for the future with new treatments like lebrikizumab and nemolizumab

Amy also talks about her work as a teacher, her growing advocacy on Instagram, and why she feels it’s her mission to raise awareness and help others feel less alone.

💬 Have you experienced eczema or TSW? Share your story in the comments — your voice matters.

👉 Subscribe to Life With a Difference for more honest conversations with patients, carers, and advocates.

#Eczema #TopicalSteroidWithdrawal #VisibleDifference #TSW #LifeWithADifference #SkinConditions

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

In this very special episode of Life With a Difference, I sit down with my wife, Donna Collinson, to talk openly about what it means to love and care for someone living with a chronic skin condition and visible difference.

Donna shares her perspective as both my partner and my carer, the moments of joy, the exhaustion, the unseen emotional weight, and the resilience it takes to navigate life together when atopic dermatitis (AD) dominates so much of our daily reality.

We cover:
• How we first met and when Donna noticed my skin condition
• The hardest flare-ups and their impact on both of us
• The balance between “cracking on” vs giving in to bad days
• The hidden mental health toll of atopic dermatitis
• What carers and partners of people with chronic illness need too
• The lack of support for carers in the NHS
• Why open communication and empathy matter in relationships
• The importance of celebrating the good days


💬 Have you supported a loved one through chronic illness or visible difference? Share your story in the comments.

👉 Subscribe to Life With a Difference for more conversations with patients, carers, and advocates.

#LifeWithADifference #VisibleDifference #AtopicDermatitis #ChronicIllness #Carers #SkinConditions

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

n this episode of Life With a Difference, I sit down with Lisa Bickerstaffe, Head of Communications at the British Skin Foundation (BSF). Lisa has been with BSF for over a decade, leading campaigns that raise awareness of skin health, skin disease, and skin cancer while supporting vital dermatology research.

We cover:
• The mission of the British Skin Foundation and why skin research matters
• How skin health campaigns have evolved with social media & TikTok trends
• The impact of sun safety and the award-winning “Burnable Billboard” campaign
• Psychological effects of living with a skin condition
• Stigma and discrimination faced by people with visible differences
• The importance of diverse skin images in healthcare and inclusive dermatology
• How the public can support BSF’s work and get involved

⸻

Show links:
https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/
https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/which-sunscreen-is-right-for-me

🕒 Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:11 – Who is Lisa Bickerstaffe?
01:00 – How communications at BSF has evolved
02:20 – TikTok skin trends and social media challenges
03:43 – The British Skin Foundation’s mission
06:12 – Covering 2,000+ skin conditions with a small team
07:16 – Working as a team of eight at BSF
08:44 – Collaboration with other skin charities
10:17 – Psychological effects of skin conditions
12:01 – Sun safety & the importance of SPF from childhood
13:33 – Misconceptions about skin cancer
14:37 – Why skin conditions aren’t taken seriously enough
16:21 – Mineral vs chemical sunscreens explained
20:11 – The Burnable Billboard campaign
24:26 – Stigma and discrimination around skin conditions
27:16 – Teaching children about visible difference & kindness
30:52 – Reframe Project: inclusive medical images across skin tones
33:27 – The challenge of diagnosing conditions on darker skin
35:20 – Advocacy and the importance of pushing for referrals
36:28 – How patients can support BSF’s work
37:58 – Services BSF offers to patients & the A–Z of skin
40:26 – Educating children about equality and skin health in schools
43:40 – Upcoming BSF 30th anniversary projects (2026)
44:58 – Building community with patients & advocates
46:08 – Final thoughts: “We’re all united by skin”

⸻

👉 Subscribe to Life With a Difference for more conversations with patients, clinicians, and advocates.

#BritishSkinFoundation #Dermatology #SkinHealth #Eczema #SkinCancer #VisibleDifference

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference