Living With Atopic Dermatitis

Living with a chronic condition like atopic dermatitis is more than skin deep—it affects every aspect of our well-being. Atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common form of eczema, is a lifelong inflammatory skin condition characterized by irritation and redness. The National Eczema Association estimates that 16.5 million adults and roughly 9.6 million children in the U.S. live with AD. 

From managing social interactions and body image issues to battling flare-ups and sleepless nights, the skin condition presents far beyond just physical symptoms.

In this spotlight, we’re helping readers navigate the emotional struggles that come with their skin condition. Through personal stories and helpful tools from experts, we hope to make those dealing with AD or other skin conditions feel less alone in their experiences.

Atopic Dermatitis and Your Mental Health

Coping with AD can feel isolating. For both Chee and Leonna, support from loved ones has been key. Chee says his family never made a big deal about his condition and helped him put on cream or go to the doctor as a kid. “Friends and people I met who validated the impact [of AD] were also helpful,” he says. 

Similarly, Leonna mentions the care from her friends, family, and partner in helping her cope. “My partner and friends reassure me that it’s okay and doesn’t look as bad,” she says. Leonna says her doctor has helped determine what else can be done to manage her condition. Finally, she mentions Facebook groups and Reddit as sources of support. “They show me how to deal with recurring symptoms and remind me that I’m not alone, that other people are fighting this, too,” she says. “There are ups and downs. It’s not a linear progression to getting better.” 

The physical aspect of AD can be tough on affected individuals’ mental health. Here are several ways challenges in social and emotional functioning can manifest. 

How I Was Blindsided By Adult Eczema

Eczema was something writer Keyaira Boone had watched several kids face at school while growing up but had no idea it could sneak up on her later in life. She was completely caught off guard by its appearance.  

Keyaira felt uncomfortable discussing her eczema until she couldn’t put it off anymore. She was even nervous to bring it up with her doctor. But when the irritation went from barely noticeable to consistently annoying, she sought out medical advice. Read how AD affected Keyaira’s body image and self-perception, and how she dealt with the embarrassment and shame along the way.

The Vicious Stress and Flare-Up Cycle

External AD triggers can be easier to manage. But when your mental state leads to flare-ups, it can require a different course of action.

“When I am stressed, I will get eyelid eczema [and] I often wake up with itchy, red eyes,” says Dr. Khanna, fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a medical advisory board member at Codex Labs. She experiences what over 31 million people in the United States may already know — stress can severely affect eczema symptoms.

Stress can wreak havoc on the body in many ways, and eczema can cause problems from the inside out. Making the effort to remove potential flare-up triggers and usher in a more calming and relaxing atmosphere can be a worthwhile investment. Read more about the stress-eczema connection and how to relieve your symptoms thus reducing your stress (and vice versa).

AD as the “Third Wheel” in Your Relationship

Intimacy requires exposure and vulnerability, which can be a challenge for people with AD when the physical and emotional symptoms of their skin condition are top of mind.

Shelby Smith, 33, shares how eczema appeared in her romantic life during a formative moment in middle school. Smith’s crush was about to make a move but paused when he saw visible symptoms of eczema on her wrists. “He was about to grab my hand, and he stopped,” she told us during an interview. “His commentary towards me was ‘What is the alligator skin on your wrist?’” she adds, mimicking a disgusted tone.

The experience changed how Shelby presented herself to the world as she got older. “My initial thought was to cover it up. You can’t say anything about what you don’t see,” says Shelby.

Since then, Shelby has overcome the way she approached her eczema with potential partners and learned how to build confidence in her love life–but her journey wasn’t easy.

Why Sleep Disturbance and AD Go Hand in Hand

Trying to sleep when you have atopic dermatitis can leave you feeling like you’re waging a battle against your own body. The constant itching creates discomfort and irritation that leaves you tossing and turning–which is why so many people with AD report having sleep difficulties.

The itching that characterizes the condition is a major culprit behind such sleep disturbances, but AD can also affect sleep in other ways, including how much sleep you get and how restorative that sleep actually is. Keep reading to learn more about why AD can make sleeping so tough, factors that might make your nighttime symptoms worse, and–last, but certainly not least–how to find a nighttime routine that will manage your symptoms and help you get the sleep you need to feel refreshed.

Self-Care Routines From People Who Know the Struggle

The National Eczema Association reports that 20% to 40% of school children and teens with atopic dermatitis experience bullying because of their skin condition. Hence, managing one’s AD is not only about skincare, but self-care—having rituals to guard against negative self-talk when your skin seems out of your control.  

For Bea, seeing a dermatologist and allergist has been life-changing for understanding her AD. It has helped her spot what is an allergic reaction versus what is an eczema flare-up, but “sometimes they go hand in hand, which is probably why transitional periods are when my AD flares up the most,” she says. Check out the self-care rituals that have helped Bea and others with AD find comfort, physically and mentally.

How I Came to Accept My AD

One of writer Sian Ferguson’s earliest memories is sitting on the edge of her mom’s bed, crying as she gently rubbed lotion onto the itchy, stinging rash behind her knees. She was 5. And that was the moment she realized that something as “small” as a skin condition could make everyday life feel a lot harder.

The turning point came at 24, during a particularly difficult week. Sian was burned out, grieving, and struggling to sleep through the night. One early morning, she found herself crying on the porch—exhausted, overwhelmed—and felt an itch in her neck. Again, her AD was flaring up.  

That moment didn’t feel like a grand epiphany. But it was the moment she felt truly fed up with her situation. She knew she couldn’t “fix” everything, but she could try to make herself a little more comfortable.