Thru-Hiking With Eczema (and How My Body Surprised Me Along the Way)

Developing severe eczema in my 20s has drastically reshaped what I thought this decade would look like. The romantic ideas I once had about my young adult life — traveling the world, going on daring adventures, living abroad — did not pan out. For several years, I’ve been diligently managing my condition, trying to minimize flares through diet, lifestyle, healthy habits, and lots of time spent at home. So I surprised myself in the spring of 2024 when I agreed to attempt the Colorado Trail.

A thru-hike did not sound conducive to my carefully planned routines to keep my eczema flares at bay, yet it was something I’d been dreaming about for years. Growing up, I’d heard stories of brave hikers trekking across my home state on the Colorado Trail (CT) through rain and shine to experience the Rocky Mountains. The 486-mile trail from Denver to Durango had lore that drew me in; from magical mountain ranges to big-game wildlife, I wanted to see it all.

“I had the extra challenge of preparing to manage my eczema while backpacking.”

Because my eczema had been clearing up for the past several months thanks to some big lifestyle shifts and a new treatment plan, I suddenly felt confident enough to give thru-hiking a shot. My boyfriend, Greg, and I started making preparations for the six-week journey on the trail. We invested in quality lightweight gear, dehydrated loads of veggies and grains to make our own backpacking meals, and sorted through all our trail necessities over and over to find the lightest possible setup.

I had the extra challenge of preparing to manage my eczema while backpacking. Not only would I face the daily challenges of hiking 12 to 22 miles, setting up camp, and cooking food, but I would also need to ensure that my skin was constantly moisturized, clean, and protected from the elements.

Because sweat and dust are two big triggers that cause me to flare, I brainstormed ways to rinse off every night before climbing into my tent. My ziplock bag of toiletries was brimming with my favorite moisturizers, flare-friendly SPF, a bathing sponge, and dehydrated wipes. I also had to find ways to access my biologic drug — which needs refrigeration — twice per month on the trail.

After months of preparing, we hit the trail on August 3rd, 2024. All my anxieties and anticipations slowly dissolved as we started ticking off miles. We hiked along hillsides that eventually grew into magnificent peaks.

“I quickly realized that my skin was loving life on the trail.”

The trail greeted us with bighorn sheep, hawks, eagles, moose, pika, and marmots. Wildflowers dotted the trail, and I learned to identify many by name. We drank from streams using our filters, we slept under cool dark skies, and we walked under the hot sun and sometimes under thundering rains. We ate the nourishing homemade foods that we had prepared for ourselves with love. We made friends with our fellow thru-hikers, sharing a few miles or a meal or a campsite.

Day by day, I could feel my body grow stronger under the weight of the pack. I quickly realized that my skin was loving life on the trail.

By mile 100, we arrived in Breckenridge, CO: the first big town where we would take a rest day. I could tell I was glowing from the inside out. “Your skin looks as good as it’s looked in years!” my parents exclaimed when they met us in town with fresh supplies.

“It feels amazing!” I beamed in return. “And all it took was quitting my job and hiking a hundred miles!”

“My daily skin routines were on point, but another huge factor that helped my skin glow was a low-stress lifestyle.”

I had cracked the code to manage my eczema on the trail. Each morning I would moisturize, apply sunscreen, and cover up with a sun hoodie. I wore a bandana around my neck that I would keep damp by dunking into a mountain stream every chance I could. This kept my neck (an especially flare-prone zone) cool and happy against dust and sweat. I would also splash my face and feet in the creek.

I stayed well hydrated (sometimes drinking up to six liters of water per day!) and ate quality meals with plenty of protein, fat, and fiber. Every night before crawling into bed, I would insist on taking a bath, either in a chilly stream near camp or sometimes with a clean bottle of water. Washing the grime off my skin every night helped me sleep better, stay clean, and keep flares at bay. I had friends and family meet me across the state with my medication on ice. Everything clicked into place.

My daily skin routines were on point, but another huge factor that helped my skin glow was a low-stress lifestyle. My days were incredibly simple. All I had to do was wake up, take care of myself, and walk for most hours of the day. I had no work emails to respond to, no busy schedule of juggling friends and family (who I missed dearly), and no access to news or election debates.

On one hand, I was living in a dream world, disconnected from reality. But on the other, I was living in harmony with myself and the incredible landscape around me. What could be more real and significant than living out my dream?

“I said yes to adventure, and my body rewarded me with happier skin and a clear, calm mind.”

By the time we made it to Durango, Colorado, the southern terminus of the CT, I was ready to say goodbye to the hiker life. We had encountered so many stunning vistas, made some really special new friends, and created memories that will last me a lifetime. But my body was tired. My feet ached and my muscles were in knots. My skin felt smooth and clear for the most part, but I also missed the comforts of home.

It took us 41 days to arrive at the finish line. My dream had really happened! With eczema!

Now that I am “reintegrating into society,” job hunting, and getting ready for what’s next, I don’t want to forget my time on the trail or the lessons I learned. I can’t live out my days unemployed, frolicking through the high country, trying to speak to the pikas with a sharp “CHIRP!” But I can remember the essentials of what made me feel healthy and whole: sunshine, clean water, nourishing foods, quiet time spent walking, making friends, and resting deeply every night. These things are within reach of everyday life.

I was surprised at the resiliency of both my skin and my mind. There were hard days on the trail and even some tears. But I had walked all those miles on my own two feet. I had said yes to adventure, to a dream I once doubted was possible with my skin condition. And my body rewarded me with happier skin and a clear, calm mind.

About the Author

Amanda Campbell lives in Boulder, Colorado, and completed her first through-hike on the Colorado Trail in 2024. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, climbing, skiing, rollerblading, and swimming in lakes and rivers. Amanda is an advocate for people with chronic health conditions and envisions a world where everyone has access to the care they need so they can pursue what they love to do.

All images, including featured image, courtesy of Amanda Campbell.