The panel consisted of McMahan, Nitika Chopra as the moderator (Founder & CEO of Chronicon, President of The Chronicon Foundation), with speakers Dr. Sandra Lee (“Dr. Pimple Popper”, Dermatologist & OPZELURA Patient), and Kristin Belleson (CEO & President of the National Eczema Association).
Before we delve into the conversation, it’s essential to understand eczema, a skin condition that affects approximately 31.6 million people, or roughly 10% of the population in the United States, according to the National Eczema Association. The condition commonly appears in three forms: Seborrheic dermatitis (characterized by scaly patches of skin), chronic hand eczema (includes recurring symptoms like redness, dryness, scaling, and fissures), and atopic dermatitis (the most common form that causes skin to be red and inflamed with thickened, leathery skin). Each typically has flare-ups caused by stress, new skincare products, and lifestyle behaviors that can appear at any time.
“I can just feel it, [like] when I am run down, when I am stressed, when I’m under those hot lights and I’m sweating under makeup, I can just feel [like] a flare-up coming,” McMahan explains. She adds that she’s really had to step into a new version of herself. “[And I said], this year, I’m going to be so proactive, specifically with eczema.”
Like most women, McMahan acknowledges that we often put ourselves on the back burner by taking care of others, whether it’s kids, a partner, family, or obligations; our health is the last thing on our minds, which is why she’s being so proactive about the condition.
“I just wanted to feel good and not have it be something that was constantly in the back of my mind,” McMahan noted. “So I really decided I’m going to take the proactive steps this year to get ahead of it, and it’s been great.”
What does that look like for the busy comedian? “I’ve had to [really, you know], work smarter, not harder, and so I pack my accouterments,” she tells the panel. “I’ve also learned that there are certain problems — products that just flare me up.”
She then recalls breaking out during her childhood. “My mom said, when I came out of the womb, it was just a rash. She was like, I was the rashiest, chubbiest kid.” And after years of struggling, McMahan “ran” to a dermatologist. “She was like, oh, no, girl, this is 100% eczema all over your face.”
Following the dermatologist appointment, McMahan began to change her beauty routine, from her nail care to skincare, focusing on steroid-free products, which led her to OPZELURA. “When I found OPZELURA, I was like, This really works with me,” she noted.
According to the FDA-approved prescribing information, OPZELURA is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) for the short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate eczema (atopic dermatitis) in non-immunocompromised adults and children 2 years of age and older whose disease is not well controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not recommended.
Chopra then asked, “As someone in the public eye, what motivated you to share your eczema story?”
“Well, I couldn’t hide it,” McMahan said. “I want to empower other people just to get that confidence back.”
She acknowledges that her journey with eczema has been rough, and if any other women are going through it, she doesn’t mind shedding light on it to bring humor to a heavy situation.
“I’ve been through the ringer, and I am happy to be the guinea pig and experience it in my life, and then find humor in it, and then be able to share that with other people so they feel like they’re not alone and that they can get their confidence back too,” McMahan concluded. “That’s important too.”
Visit mymomentsofclarity.com for personal stories from people living with eczema.
This story was created independently by the SHE Media editorial team. Note, this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for any treatment decisions.