The National Eczema Association (NEA) has released Eczema: Tools for School, a free booklet that helps parents and caregivers support children with eczema through the school day. The booklet is available now at NationalEczema.org, and NEA is marking the launch with a live webinar on Tuesday, September 15 at 2 p.m. ET.
The program is made possible through the generous support of Sanofi and Regeneron.
What is Eczema: Tools for School?
Eczema: Tools for School is a practical guide for families managing eczema during the school year. It covers the triggers children encounter in a typical school day, how to talk with school staff about a child’s skin and how to keep treatment routines going away from home.
The booklet is written for parents and caregivers, and it is built to be shared. Families can pass it along to teachers, school nurses, coaches, sitters and anyone else who spends time with their child. NEA developed the content with input from focus groups, medical experts, parents and educators, so the guidance reflects what families and school staff say they need.
What’s inside the booklet
Common eczema triggers in classrooms, gyms, playgrounds and school bathrooms
Conversation starters for meetings with teachers, school nurses and administrators
Tips for keeping moisturizing and medication routines on track during the school day
Guidance on itch, sleep and focus, and how they shape a child’s day
Ways to help a child talk about their skin with classmates
Why eczema at school matters
More than 1 million school-age children in the U.S. have severe eczema.1 For those children, an ordinary school day can be full of triggers: carpets, outdoor activities, hand soaps, heat from gym class. Itch and disrupted sleep follow them into the classroom, where they affect focus, participation and confidence.
Most schools have a plan for asthma and food allergies. Far fewer have one for eczema. Eczema: Tools for School gives families the language and the specifics to start that conversation before the next parent-teacher conference. For background on how eczema shows up in childhood, see NEA’s guide to eczema in children.
Join the launch webinar
NEA hosts a live launch webinar on Tuesday, September 15 at 2 p.m. ET, featuring NEA experts and voices from the eczema community. The session walks through what families can do right now and answers questions live. Attendees can download the booklet during the event, and the recording will be posted on the Tools for School page afterward. Register for the launch webinar.
How to get the booklet
The booklet is free. Visit NationalEczema.org, share your name and email, and the download link will be sent to your inbox. Selecting a role helps NEA understand who is using the resource and what to build next.
Families looking for more day-to-day support can also find a specialist through the Eczema Provider Finder.
About the National Eczema Association
Founded in 1988, the National Eczema Association (NEA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the largest patient advocacy organization serving the more than 31 million Americans living with eczema and those who care for them. NEA provides programs and resources to elevate the diverse lived experience of eczema, helping patients and caregivers understand their condition, actively engage in their care, find strength in one another and improve their lives. NEA also advances critical eczema research and partners with key stakeholders to ensure the patient voice is represented and valued in education, care and treatment decision-making. Learn more: NationalEczema.org
FAQs
Who is the Tools for School booklet for?
The booklet is written for parents and caregivers of school-age children with eczema. It also includes content families can share directly with teachers, school nurses, coaches and sitters.
Is the booklet free?
Yes. The booklet is completely free to download at NationalEczema.org.
Who developed the content?
NEA developed the booklet with input from focus groups, medical experts, parents and educators.
Can I share the booklet with my child’s school?
Yes, and that is the point. Families are encouraged to send the booklet to teachers, school nurses and administrators, or to bring a printed copy to a meeting about their child’s care at school.
Who sponsored the program?
Sanofi and Regeneron provided sponsorship support. NEA retains full editorial control of all content.