How does Eczema affect our daily lives?
Eczema and our daily lives
Despite the fact that many children and adults have eczema, it is often considered to be a minor skin condition. New studies have shown that eczema is anything but a minor problem. Recent studies have shown that eczema can decrease quality of life by interfering with achievement in school, influencing or limiting career choice, affecting social adjustment and affecting friends and choice of partners.
People with Eczema and those around them
When children have eczema, its negative effect is felt not only by the child but also by the whole family. For adults with eczema, romantic and other relationships can be affected by eczema.
Emotional and social development of children
The lives of preschool children can be severely affected by eczema. Preschoolers with eczema are more afraid, in general and are more dependent on their parents than other children. Their entire lives are overshadowed by itchy skin, disturbed sleep and distress. Older children with eczema may have trouble at school due to sleep deprivation and the symptoms of eczema. With eczema, social development is affected due to poor self-image and lack of self-confidence.
Child social life and eczema
- General avoidance by other children
- Other children may have a fear of “catching something”
- Teasing / bullying
In one study, 39% of 14- to 17-year-old patients reported being teased or bullied because of their eczema.
Family life
The worse Eczema is, the greater its negative effect on family life.
Another psychosocial effect that is often overlooked is the impact of a child’s eczema on his or her family. In general, the greater the apparent severity of the child’s condition the greater the physical, emotional, and social impact of this condition on the family.
Parents
Parents of children with eczema have reported exhaustion, tiredness, helplessness and sleep deprivation. And then there is the guilt: parents feel responsible for their child’s eczema.
Sleep
Effects of Eczema on patient’s sleep
Activities and adult relationships
Certain activities may be avoided due to an Eczema flare
Some adults may have relationship problems due to their eczema. Forty-four percent of adults with eczema were embarrassed by their appearance
Itch
The itch that rashes
Itch is one of the most troublesome symptoms of eczema. It affects almost every aspect of a sufferer’s life and reduces quality of life.
Infant development
By affecting infant experience of touch, eczema impacts the physical and emotional boundaries and the evolving body image. Its effect on sleep can affect mood and performance during the day.
Itch and the family
Itching can make the sufferer angry and resent those around him, especially family members. The scratching and resulting disfigurement of the skin can be used by children as a powerful manipulative tool but at the same time reduce the patient’s self-esteem.