Natural skincare brand Balmonds encourages consumers to Pay It Forward to NHS heroes, as 1 in 5 have such severe dermatitis they’ve needed time off work
A combination of constant hand washing, harsh sanitiser gel, uncomfortable PPE and stress have all been cited as the reasons behind an “eczema epidemic” among NHS workers, identified by a study by the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy. The research, presented by the British Association of Dermatologists, cited that six out of ten of healthcare workers seen in occupational skin disease clinics had irritant contact dermatitis, with one in five so severely affected that they needed time off work. Given that upwards of 210,000 healthcare workers are likely to be in this severe category Natural skincare brand Balmonds announces an appeal for donations to their “Pay It Forward” scheme to help healthcare workers suffering from pandemic-induced eczema.
Balmonds is urging the public to donate £2.50 which enables them to gift a 60ml pot of Skin Salvation, their award-winning ointment, to healthcare trusts throughout the UK. The award-winning all-natural emollient, which retails for £12.99, helps soothe stressed skin and is particularly helpful for those suffering from eczema or dry skin conditions.
Lucy Gulland, Communities Manager at Balmonds, says “We were absolutely shocked to discover the huge numbers of healthcare workers who are suffering from eczema, dry skin, pressure sores from masks, and cracked, over-washed hands. Although Lockdown is lifting, our NHS heroes are still having to wear masks and PPE and carry out their duties in incredibly difficult circumstances, the results of which are showing on their stressed skin. We’ve had some incredible feedback from nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers who’ve been astonished at how effective Skin Salvation has been for their PPE-sore skin. But we want to be able to help all the people who need it. Please get behind our scheme and pay the love forward.”
The scheme was inspired by Sophie Baudrand-Venables, an Operations Director originally from Cumbria. Her oldest friend Pol Donaldson, is a staff nurse at the West Cumberland Hospital and was working on the COVID 19 itu during both waves. Throughout the pandemic she had suffered from terrible skin problems. Sophie says “I found out about Skin Salvation, sent some to Pol and it was the only thing that worked on her constant skin sores. I continued to keep her in a supply of Skin Salvation then wrote to Balmonds and said ‘this is what’s going on’ and asked them to consider turning it into an official scheme, which they did! I just wish more healthcare workers knew about it.”
The Pay It Forward scheme has already donated pots of Skin Salvation to a variety of trusts and hospitals nationwide; including to NHS workers in a mental health unit in LLanfairfechan Wales, Leeds ambulance station; a dental surgery in Merseyside, an intensive care unit in Shrewsbury as well as to multiple hospitals in London (Newham University Hospital; The Whittington; St Mary’s Paddington; Hammersmith Hospital; Charing Cross Hospital; St George’s), and the London Ambulance Service in Deptford.
To make a donation please go here: https://balmonds.co.uk/products/pay-it-forward