For Kelly Rowland, health is a family matter.
The 45-year-old Destiny's Child star was diagnosed with eczema in 2014, which she learned about after the birth of her first son, Titan Jewell, now 11. When her 5-year-old son, Noah John, was also diagnosed with the condition, she realized many people likely faced the same issue and wanted to speak out so others could too.
«"When it came to eczema, we just realized it wasn't talked about enough," she says of her decision to partner with Eli Lilly and their eczema drug Ebglyss. "I didn't know all this time—I thought it was just a rash. I think sometimes we self-diagnose and don't ask questions. Sometimes we don't advocate for ourselves.".
Kelly Rowland and her son, Titan Jewell. Photo: Lilly USA, LLC.
Rowland says her eczema interfered with her ability to be in the spotlight during key moments in her career, forcing her to wear special compression stockings to prevent scratching and apply copious amounts of makeup to conceal the redness on her body and face. She once developed an outbreak on her eyelid, and although her makeup artist tried to conceal it, it only made matters worse.
«"I'd be talking to someone and I'd think they were looking at me, not at me, and it would affect my confidence," she says. "I could barely look them in the eye because my confidence was so low... It just strips you of the very essence of who you are and feeling comfortable in your own skin.".
The singer uses her own experience to help her children understand how to cope with flare-ups. Her youngest son, five-year-old Noah John, has a severe form of the disease caused by the environment. She teaches him to wash his hands and face after being outdoors to prevent skin irritation.
«"Sometimes we get calls from his school because he's had really bad breakouts and there's something in the air," Rowland says. "If he goes outside and starts scratching himself, he'll say, 'I'm not going there,' because he'll feel it. So he's very mindful of his surroundings and his body.".
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Although eczema can make it difficult for her to focus on both her personal and professional life, Rowland says she makes every effort to stay in the present moment.
«"In my personal life, I often disconnect from my phone. That's really important to me," she says. "But in my professional life, I try to focus on what inspires me, so I can be fully engaged. When I'm passionate about something, I give it my all.".
Songwriting is her great passion, and watching her songs come together like puzzle pieces gives her a special pleasure.
«"It still amazes me," she says. "At first you think, 'Wow, it's nothing special.' But then, as things unfold naturally, you realize, 'Wow, I'm privileged to be doing this. I was chosen to do this, to be a part of this.'".
Read the original article on People.