Eczema and mental health

Eczema doesn’t always just affect a person’s physical wellbeing; for some people, it can also have a profound impact on mental health. These invisible effects, such as anxiety, depression and stress, go hand-in-hand with the visible, though they can sometimes be overlooked.

We want to shed a light on the relationship between eczema and mental health, providing insights and resources to help you navigate this journey.

Eczema’s invisible impact

If you have experienced a change in your mental health as a result of your eczema, you are not alone:

of people living with eczema
experience symptoms of
depression.¹

of adults living with eczema
experienced sleep disturbance
as a result of their symptoms.²

of potential work productivity
are reportedly lost among
people living with moderate
eczema.³

Mental health challenges associated
with eczema

It’s not uncommon for eczema to impact on your anxiety levels, concentration, or how you see your body image. In some cases, this can lead to depression or feelings of isolation.

One of the main physical symptoms associated with eczema is itching, which can interfere with your sleep, resulting in mental and physical exhaustion. This, in turn, can affect your ability to concentrate and your mood, subsequently impacting on your performance at school or work and affecting relationships.

The visibility of eczema, particularly in areas like the face, neck, and hands, may significantly affect your self-esteem and confidence. You may feel embarrassed to display your skin or reluctant to socialise with others, leading to a sense of isolation.

Coping strategies for people living
with eczema

Here are just a few ways to help with the effects of eczema on mental health:

As with any mental health challenge, building and maintaining social connections and having a strong support group can help guide you through the challenges.
Take the time to relax and de-stress. We all need some downtime in life; taking your mind off eczema can help. Going for a walk or spending time on a favourite hobby can do wonders for your mental health.
If you are concerned about your mood or overall well-being, it is important to seek professional help, to guide you towards overcoming these challenges in a way that best works for you.
Building a picture of the impact on mental health and communicating your needs to your care team may help to manage the different ways eczema can affect your mental health. Try out the Impact Analyzer ahead of your next appointment, which may help you better understand the effects eczema can have on your day-to-day life.

Online resource to help support your mental health:

NHS Every Mind Matters: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters

Same old eczema, brand new conversation

There are a range of resources across LetsTalkEczema to help you decide what your next step could be.

From busting common myths to planning your next appointment, explore what actions you can take to help you on your eczema journey.

Learn more >

References

1. Allergy UK Report (2017), https://www.allergyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/The-mental-health-impact-of-living-with-atopic-eczema.pdf

2. Allergy UK, Not-Just-Skin-Deep Report, 2021 Available at: www.allergyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Not-Just-Skin-Deep-min-compressed.pdf

3. Andersen, L et al. “Increasing severity of atopic dermatitis is associated with a negative impact on work productivity among adults with atopic dermatitis in France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S.A.” The British journal of dermatology vol. 182,4 (2020): 1007-1016. doi:10.1111/bjd.18296

Date of preparation: October 2023, UK-IMM-230186