How This Outdoor Enthusiast Successfully Managed Backpacking with Eczema

Amanda Campbell, 28, from Boulder, Colorado, recently completed one of the most challenging long-distance backpacking treks in the United States. She spent more than a month trekking 486 miles on the Colorado Trail. With a precise daily routine, she successfully managed her atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, along the way.

It was a journey that would have seemed impossible just a few months earlier. Campbell had spent most of her early adulthood struggling to tame her eczema symptoms — until a renewed outlook and a fresh game plan allowed her to pursue the outdoor adventures she craved.

“Finishing the hike gave me this huge sense of confidence that I can do hard things,” Campbell said, explaining that her eczema journey had given her mental toughness. “I felt equipped to handle the long grueling days on the trail because my severe skin condition taught me perseverance.”

Unwanted lifestyle changes

Diagnosed as a toddler, eczema was never something Campbell thought much of throughout childhood. She periodically used topical steroid creams to manage mild rashes that were contained to her elbows and hands. 

After finishing college at age 22, her symptoms suddenly intensified and the steroid cream stopped working. “It went from mild to severe very quickly and spread to my whole body. I had bumps and hives, and my skin was more itchy and redder than before,” Campbell said.

To try to calm her flaring skin, Campbell said she felt forced to quit her job in organic agriculture and find a role that allowed her to work from home. She also scaled back activities like rock climbing, mountain biking and marathon training. 

The changes made her feel increasingly isolated. “It was a huge identity loss, going from working on a farm and being with animals and nature, to hunkering down at home with a quieter routine,” Campbell said.

A new game plan

Campbell sought treatment from an immunologist and a nutritionist and discovered that her eczema had worsened because of her home environment. Allergy tests and blood work revealed prolonged toxic exposure to black mold, which had also contributed to gut problems and insomnia. “My body took a long time to heal from that,” she recalled.

Unfortunately, her skin issues persisted. In December 2023, after years of trying natural remedies with limited success, Campbell was ready for a different approach. Her immunologist prescribed the biologic drug Dupixent, and she worked with her nutritionist to eliminate foods that appeared to trigger flares.

Another significant change that Campbell said was especially helpful was that she stopped trying to manage the emotional effects of her eczema all on her own. She moved back to her home state of Colorado to be closer to her family, and started engaging more with the National Eczema Association (NEA). “Having this integrative care for my skin and a supportive community — things started to click into place.”

Backpacking with eczema

Thanks to the new regimen, Campbell’s symptoms eased enough that she felt ready to take on a big challenge. She and her boyfriend embarked on the Colorado Trail in August 2024, and she had a plan to manage her eczema during the 41-day journey. 

Daily cleansing with baby wipes and cold water was especially important for combatting dust, pollen and sweat. A dermatologist at NEA’s Eczema Expo also encouraged her to keep her fingernails short to decrease the bacteria and dirt that could be transferred to her skin if she scratched. She used moisturizers and sunscreen, and ate whole foods with an emphasis on protein and fiber to reduce the risk of inflammation. 

Her biweekly Dupixent injections posed a challenge because the medication needed to be refrigerated. Her parents and friends stepped up to help by offering to deliver the doses along the trail.

Campbell’s skin routine not only kept her eczema under control, but her skin improved dramatically. “My eczema went from moderate to mild, and my parents said my skin looked better than it had in years,” she said, adding that she partially attributes her clearer skin to better sleep and reduced stress levels during the backpacking trip. 

Inspiring others

After completing the Colorado Trail, Campbell decided to switch careers. Currently, she is working at a health foods store and trying to get into bookkeeping. She is also thinking about pursuing a master’s degree in social work.

She is also passionate about using her experience to inspire others with eczema, and demonstrate that their skin condition doesn’t have to hold them back from having adventures like hers. 

“Remember that eczema ebbs and flows. It can improve, or be worse at times, but it’s not a static thing,” Campbell said. “Once you really dig into which strategies work for your body, you might be really surprised how your skin responds and the possibilities that could follow.”

Amanda Campbell is a NEA Ambassador. If you’re an adult living with eczema or a caregiver of someone with eczema, join NEA Ambassadors.

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