A British mother has issued an urgent warning after her daughter’s eczema flared up severely, leaving her unable to walk and requiring the use of a wheelchair. M’Layah Chapman, a 9-year-old from Fallowfield, Manchester, developed a severe eczema reaction after playing with slime during the summer of 2023. Her condition worsened, leading to painful blisters, infections, and mobility issues.
How Slime Triggered a Severe Eczema Flare-Up in M’Layah
M’Layah, who had struggled with eczema since she was a baby, was playing with slime with a friend when she began noticing small spots on her skin. These soon developed into painful bumps and blisters that leaked and became infected. Despite having eczema for years, the slime seemed to worsen her skin condition drastically.
Katherine, M’Layah’s mother, shared with the Manchester Evening News that the eczema flare-up caused M’Layah’s skin to crack and become incredibly tender, particularly on her legs. “Her body got infected, and her eczema flared up to the point where she couldn’t walk,” Katherine said. The flare-up left M’Layah unable to straighten her legs, causing her extreme pain and discomfort.
The Impact of Eczema on M’Layah’s Daily Life
The severe eczema reaction has had a profound impact on M’Layah’s life. Not only does she suffer from constant pain, but she also struggles to do everyday activities. Katherine explained that her daughter is often unable to leave the house due to the extent of the flare-up, and the family feels like “prisoners in our own home.”
Her condition also affects her mental health. “It’s been traumatic for her and upsetting,” Katherine added. M’Layah’s eczema has led her to miss school and caused immense physical and emotional distress.
Eczema and Slime: A Possible Link
While it has not been definitively proven that the slime caused M’Layah’s eczema flare-up, Katherine believes it may have been the trigger. “It’s out of my control,” Katherine said about the unpredictability of eczema flare-ups. Although eczema treatment plans and medications can help manage symptoms, the condition often flares up without warning.
M’Layah has known allergies to foods like oranges, soya, nuts, milk, and wheat, which can also trigger eczema outbreaks. Katherine and M’Layah are currently exploring treatments like light therapy to reduce inflammation and provide some relief from the painful flare-ups.
Raising Awareness About Eczema Triggers
Katherine is calling for more awareness around eczema and its triggers, especially for children like M’Layah who face daily challenges. “There’s not enough awareness,” Katherine said. “Watching your child in pain and not being able to help is heartbreaking.”
Eczema, which often appears in the first few months of life, affects one in five children in the UK. While many children experience improvement as they grow older, some face severe and persistent symptoms into adulthood.
What Parents Should Know About Eczema and Slime
While slime can be a fun sensory toy for many children, it may trigger skin reactions, especially for those with sensitive skin or pre-existing conditions like eczema. Parents of children with eczema should monitor any potential irritants and avoid substances that might worsen flare-ups. Always consult a healthcare professional if a child experiences a sudden worsening of skin conditions.
M’Layah Chapman’s experience highlights the potential risks of slime and other sensory toys for children with eczema. With more awareness about the potential triggers for eczema flare-ups, parents can take steps to minimize their child’s exposure to irritants, offering them relief from the painful and often debilitating symptoms of this condition.
By sharing her daughter’s story, Katherine hopes to raise awareness about the impact eczema can have on daily life and encourage better management options for children suffering from severe flare-ups.
