0:05  
You would never be able to tell just by looking at me. Even when I was in my worst stages of this health condition, I covered it up well. But take off the long sleeves, long pants and the hair I purposely used to cover my neck and you would be able to see that I had eczema. Eczema is an umbrella term for a group of skin conditions that typically cause red, itchy and inflamed skin. It can be caused by genetic and environmental factors, and is not contagious. There is no cure for eczema. And although it's common among babies and young children, adults can experience it too.  Another adult who still suffers from eczema is Abby Thai. Abby's journey with excema started when she was born. But her skin dramatically worsened when she moved to Hong Kong with her family.

0:57  
I went to Hong Kong, but when I was about 15 or so my first boyfriend broke up with me. And I think that's when everything just like unleashed. And yeah, I think I used like scratching and all those flare ups, it just became, yeah, it became worse because of that incident. And so for those like three years during high school, it was pretty much the worst time of my life because it was just so traumatic. There was one time when I started dating my husband a couple years later, he was my boyfriend at that time and you know, my skin just flared up again, like really, really badly. It came to the point when you know, it really hurt to walk or like my face just like was so dry and flaky. Like even covering it up with makeup didn't work. And yeah, it was just it was one of the hardest times and I remember walking home from work just like crying every day. Because of how painful it was.

1:56  
Abby decided to change her lifestyle to treat her skin condition. She became a certified holistic nutritionist, changed her diet and learned stress management techniques to delay flare ups

2:07  
Every morning and night I just visualize my healing and visualize myself with the best self possible, trying to do more exercise. And, you know, just sharing my journey actually online as well as actually a big outlet for me too. Sometimes it feels like a journal just you know, being able to share with others what I'm going through or what I've gone through.

2:29  
Abby didn't let her eczema impact her career. She made it her career. Abby is the founder of Eczema Conquers, a brand that offers coaching, blogs, a skincare line, and she even hosts her own podcast. Her podcast is called the Eczema Podcast and Abby has been running it for three years.

2:49  
I think I really just wanted to be a pioneer in the movement to share like what's going on. When I started making YouTube videos, I also wanted to expand and find another platform to share more about my knowledge too. So that's when the excema podcast came out.

3:06  
Hi, and welcome to the Eczema Podcast where you'll learn tips, products and natural eczema remedies from Abby, registered holistic nutritionist. Here's your host of the Eczema Podcast, Abby.

3:19  
Hey guys, it's Abby here again. And I really love doing these podcasts where I get to encourage so. We've had kids listen to it and 11 year olds and a lot of people have said that, you know some of the episodes they're really able to resonate with it and feel better as well. And it gave them hope, so that's one thing that just really brings me joy.

3:47  
Abby has been able to connect people from across the world with her Eczema Conquers brand. Maya Dunn lives in New Zealand and is an avid listener of the Eczema Podcast. She suffered a severe eczema and health flare up in August and hasn't been able to return to work since. She was sitting at home searching on her computer for people who were suffering just like her when she found Abby's eczema support group on Facebook.

4:15  
It's great just being able to connect with people from all around the world. And they put forth their ideas and what's working and what may not be working for them. She's just really inspiring and in and at times that's given me sort of like a safe place to go online. If that makes sense. A lot of people get quite house bound, they may not be able to work. There may be just so embarrassed if they have it all on their face and areas they can't cover up you know, they they lose confidence and so online, the podcasts as well that she puts out there, it's just sort of created a place for for others in especially myself to go to.

5:03  
Abby Thai went from eczema sufferer crying as she walked home to exuma conqueror, giving hope to other people from all around the world. She says you can be a conqueror too.

5:15  
Believe that you know if you want to start a business or even heal on your journey that you know there is no limit. You can do anything and not to let anyone stop you on your journey.