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At six feet tall, it\u2019s no surprise that Diana Taurasi was drawn to basketball. \u201cIt’s my passion, it’s my love,\u201d she says of the sport. Taurasi, who retired in February 2025 after 20 seasons playing for the Phoenix Mercury, is largely viewed as one of the best WNBA players of all time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While Taurasi was known for exuding strength and focus on the court, behind the scenes she often found herself thinking about her skin: For years, she\u2019s navigated living with moderate-to-severe eczema. Eczema, a chronic condition caused in part by an overactive immune system, results in more inflammation under the skin than normal. This inflammation can lead to itching and rashes on the skin\u2019s surface. In partnership with Sanofi and Regeneron, Diana is speaking out about the realities this disease can bring \u2013 on and off the court.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Taurasi, it started when she moved from California to Connecticut for college. \u201cThe minute I moved to the East Coast, my skin became red, itchy and uncomfortable,” she says. Eventually, Taurasi sought care from a dermatologist, and she was diagnosed with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema. \u201cI had it on my arms, the back of my knees\u2026basically anywhere that was visible in a jersey,\u201d Taurasi recalls. \u201cWhen I was on the court in front of a camera, I knew everyone was looking.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Taurasi began wearing sleeves during her games to cover up her rashes, a league violation at the time which resulted in a fine. \u201cI was fined every game, but I kept wearing them,\u201d she recalls. \u201cI just didn\u2019t want my skin to be so exposed.\u201d One memory from a 2009 WNBA finals game stands out in particular: \u201cI woke up that morning with a complete eczema outbreak on both arms. All I could think was, “This is game one of the finals, on national TV, and I’m worried about the rashes on my skin.\u201d<\/p>\n
After trying multiple different prescription topical treatments, Taurasi was at her \u201cwits’ end.\u201d That\u2019s when her dermatologist prescribed Dupixent\u00ae (dupilumab), a biologic treatment option for people ages six months and older with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dupixent helps calm a key source of inflammation under the skin that can cause eczema. It is the only biologic medicine approved to treat uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema from infancy to adulthood.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince starting Dupixent, I have clearer skin and less itch,\u201d Taurasi says. \u201cI spent so much time and energy dealing with my eczema, and looking for something that could work for me and provide relief to my skin. I am less focused on my eczema symptoms while doing activities with my wife and kids. While everyone\u2019s experience is different, I am thankful to have found a medicine that works for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dupixent can help adult patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema achieve clearer skin and less itch. In two clinical trials at 16 weeks, adults on Dupixent saw clear or almost clear skin (37% versus 9% not on Dupixent) and had significant itch reduction (38% versus 11% not on Dupixent). Individual results may vary.<\/p>\n
The most common side effects in patients with eczema include injection site reactions, eye problems, including eye and eyelid inflammation, redness, swelling, itching, eye infection, dry eye, and blurred vision, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia). Please see additional Important Safety Information below.<\/p>\n
Since she began speaking out about her eczema, Taurasi has met a whole community of people who can relate. But she\u2019s also noticed that some fans are surprised by her diagnosis. \u201cI think athletes are put on this pedestal, like we\u2019re bulletproof,\u201d she says. \u201cBut I have the same challenges as everyone else. I just happen to be a little better at bouncing a basketball than most people.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of moderate-to-severe eczema and topical prescription treatments aren\u2019t controlling your eczema well, talk to your doctor about exploring other options that may be right for you.<\/p>\n