Kelly Rowland, known for her time in Destiny's Child, has spoken publicly about living with eczema, a condition that also affects both of her young sons. The singer, who appears as a coach on The Voice UK, was diagnosed with the skin condition in 2014, following the birth of her first son, Titan Jewell, now 11.
Her youngest son, Noah Jon, aged 5, has a severe form of eczema, which has led Rowland to share her family's experiences in order to raise awareness. Speaking to People magazine earlier this year, she admitted that she had likely had the condition for much longer but had not realised it.
A Long-Standing Condition Misdiagnosed as a Rash
Rowland confessed that for years she mistook her symptoms for a simple rash. "I didn't know, all this time — I thought it was a rash," she told People. She also highlighted a broader issue: "I think that sometimes we'll self-diagnose and we won't ask the questions. Sometimes we won't advocate for ourselves."
The singer has partnered with Eli Lilly, promoting their eczema medication Ebglyss. She detailed how the condition has affected her confidence throughout her career, requiring her to wear special stockings to prevent scratching and relying on make-up artists to cover red patches on her face and body.
Impact on Confidence and Everyday Life
Rowland described the psychological toll of performing and interacting with others while dealing with visible symptoms. "I'm speaking to someone and I'm thinking that they're looking at that and they're not looking at me, which affects my confidence," she said. "I could barely look at them in the eye, because my confidence was low. It just kind of robs you of the very essence of you being you, and comfortable in your skin."
Her youngest son Noah also faces significant challenges. Rowland shared that he must wash his face and hands after being outdoors, and that his condition can become so severe that his school has contacted her with concerns. "We sometimes get calls from his school because his can be so severe and it's something in the air," she explained.
Understanding Eczema Symptoms
According to the NHS, eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that causes itchy skin and currently has no cure. It often appears on the elbows, knees, and hands, and in babies and toddlers, it is also common on the face. Symptoms include itching, dry and cracked or scaly skin, discolouration that can be red, white, purple, or grey depending on skin tone, and blistering or bleeding. The condition typically involves periods of flare-ups, where symptoms worsen, and times of improvement.
