Fair Lawn Woman To Discuss Her Battle With Eczema On 'Dr. Phil'

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Ashley Lora knows the power that eczema can have over someone.

She also knows the power that breaking free of it can have on someone, and she wants to help as many people as possible who are suffering with the condition.

"From having eczema effect my day-to-day, to even being bedridden from topical steroids withdrawal, I've been able to turn my pain and suffering into an opportunity," said Lora, 27. "When I was younger, I couldn't just attend school normally as a kid or play outside with my friends and attend sleepovers. I couldn't play the sports I wanted to or go swimming in the summer. In fact, I would wear long sleeve shirts and pants even in the summer to avoid the sun and people's reaction to my skin."

Lora, 27, will discuss her work as an eczema advocate on "Dr. Phil" Monday.

"From having eczema effect my day-to-day, to even being bedridden from topical steroids withdrawal, I've been able to turn my pain and suffering into an opportunity," Lora said.

Lora said she has been able to largely heal herself because she has maintained a positive mindset. She is a self-employed consultant and founder of VisionHERy. She works to empower young women to lead a more fulfilling life.

"Many people hesitate or stop doing what they want to do, love to do, want to wear or go, simply because they're too afraid their eczema may flare," Lora said. "My advice: do it anyways and handle the consequences later, if it even shows up. Make your eczema your best friend and take him or her along with you wherever you go. Don't let it be the dictator of your life. You take control."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com