Eczema is really common, so you must know someone with eczema. I have had eczema since I was a baby, and when I was growing up, I had all sorts of theories on what caused it. So when I became a dermatologist and researcher, I set about trying to find some answers to how common it is, what causes it and how it is best treated. In this talk, I will take you on a journey that spans 30 years of my research career, exploring the fascinating world of eczema in more detail – and across the world too. It is not a simple story and there is still a lot to learn, but we have come a long way and made good progress. At the very least, I hope you come away from this talk with a sense that eczema needs to be taken seriously - and with some great tips on effective treatment like “getting control then keeping control”.