Social
stigmatization

Though most cases of atopic dermatitis are considered mild, people with atopic dermatitis often experience physical and psychosocial symptoms. With proper care and support, these impacts can be managed, improving quality of life1.

Below there are some tips that can help you.

Tips to overcome Atopic Dermatitis Stigma

With family and friends:2

  • Carve out time to explore different interests and participate in fun activities.
  • Consciously reflect on the positive contributions you make to help your family and friends.
  • Build on your strengths and skills.

At work:3

  • Talk about your AD with your supervisors and trusted coworkers about your condition, needs and concerns.
  • Managing potential eczema triggers in the workplace.

School life:4

  • Contact the school and provide individual information about the atopic dermatitis.
  • Help your child understand the atopic dermatitis.
  • Encourage your child to take control of a daily emollient routine.
  • Help your child understand what can make the atopic dermatitis worse.
  • Talk to the teacher.
Keep positive! A professional, holistic, multidisciplinary management approach can help mitigate the suffering.5

Impact on sleep

Although any level of AD can be extremely uncomfortable and, at times, painful, people with atopic dermatitis report that it hugely disturbs their sleep, causing them fatigue, and affects their performance of daily activities, including school, sports activities, work and peer relationships.6,7

Sleep disturbances loop7

Sleep is a main component of a healthy life. It’s extremely
important for mental function and emotional well-being.7

Sleeping better with Atopic Dermatitis:7

  • Moisturise you skin.
  • Use a humidifier in the bedroom.
  • Stay cool and comfortable.
  • Keep nails short or wear cotton gloves to help reduce scratching.
  • Practice good sleep hygiene (stay off screens, limit caffeine intake, try breathing exercises and meditations).

Your dermatologist can recommend additional solutions for better sleep.

Impact on Mental Health 8

Patients with atopic dermatitis may experience self-esteem concerns and mental health impact. Taking care of mental health is just as important as treating the visible lesions of AD.

To try to improve this situation, efforts are underway to develop and validate tools that will allow for quick assessment of mental

30% PEOPLE WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS9

SUFFERING ANXIETY/DEPRESSION

WHY?

Mental health symptoms and stress have a bi-directional
relationship with atopic dermatitis symptoms.8

Parents and caregivers can also be affected by similar
issues, and may experience different feelings:8

Talk to a health care provider or mental health specialist if you are
experiencing symptoms of depression9

Psychological, relaxation and stress management interventions can also help alleviate mental health issues associated with atopic dermatitis for both patients and caregivers.8

Atopic Dermatitis & Stress

A vicious cycle9-11

From its red, rash-like appearance to the relentless itch and sleepless nights, living with atopic dermatitis can be downright challenging on our emotional well-being.

Anxiety and stress are common triggers that cause AD to flare up which then creates more anxiety and stress.

When we experience a stressful situation, the body responds by increasing production of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

It can suppress the immune system and cause an inflammatory response in the skin. People living with skin diseases like atopic dermatitis are particularly susceptible to this inflammatory response.

Tips to relieve stress

Even if you can’t change the situational factors that contribute to stress, there are many ways you can manage it:11

1. Talk to someone and share your concerns about feeling stressed (encourage your child with atopic dermatitis to do it)

2. Make some lifestyle changes (exercise, a healthy diet, and a balance of work, rest and play).

3. Try to find new perspectives and solutions to difficult problems.

 

4. Make a list of things that you know work for you, personally (prioritise these replenishing activities).

5. Try some relaxation exercises:
a. Relaxed breathing (abdominal and slowe and deeper than normal).
b. Progressive muscular relaxion (stresss can also result in increased muscle tension).
c. Mindful exercises (based on the idea that we are present in the here and now in a nonjudgemental way).

Reducing stress may help alleviate some of the common symptoms of this disease.9

References:

1. Overcoming the Eczema Stigma. Verywell Health. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/eczema-stigma-6824002#:~:text =-Though eczema is relatively common, self Desteem C and stress (last access: June 2024). 2. How to Manage Your Self-Confidence with Eczema. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/atopic-dermatitis/manage-self-confidence (last accessed: march 2025). 3. How to Manage Work While Living with Eczema. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/eczema/managing-eczema-at-work#:~:text=Work%2Drelated% 20irritants&text=Wearing%20personal%20protective%20gear%20can,skin%20and%20irritants%20can%20help (last accessed: march 2025). 4. Eczema and school. National Eczema Society. Available at: https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/information-for-parents-and-children/eczema-and-school/ (last accessed: march 2025). 5. Marron SE, et al. Psychosocial Impact of Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: A Qualitative Study. Actas Dermosifiliogr (Engl Ed). 2020 Jul-Aug;111(6):513-517. 6. Eczema Physical and Emotional Effects. Rady Children´s Hospital San Diego. Available at: https://www.rchsd.org/programs-services/dermatology/eczema-and-inflammatory-skin-disease-center/physical-and-emotional-effects/ (last access: June 2024). 7. Atopic Dermatitis: How to Get Enough Sleep. WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/features/sleep-loss-atopicd (last access: June 2024). 8. Mental Health and Eczema – Seeing the Unseen. National Eczema Association. Available at: https://nationaleczema.org/blog/mental-health-science/ (last access: June 2024). 9. Eczema and Emotional Wellness. National Eczema Association. Available at: https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-emotional-wellness/ (last access: June 2024). 10. Reasons Why Your Eczema Might Be Flaring Up. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/severe-eczema/triggers-how-to-avoid#what-causes-flare-ups (last access: June 2024). 11. Eczema´s psychological impact: the role of self-help strategies. Available at: https://eczema.org/wp-content/uploads/167-Eczema-and-Stress.pdf (last access: June 2024).

HQ-NOP-2400218 March 2025