The emotional side of eczema

Living with a chronic condition, like diabetes or high blood pressure, is a private matter – you can choose if you want to tell people about it or not. When you have eczema, that choice is often taken away from you because of the visible nature of the condition. Eczema can be emotionally distressing and most people feel embarrassed, frustrated and angry about their eczema at some point in time.

People with eczema have fears and challenges in common:

Worrying about flare-ups – Eczema typically flares up when you don't expect it to, which means that you might be worrying about your next flare-up. There may be certain times when you really don't want your eczema to flare, for example, before a date, on holiday, on your wedding day etc. Since eczema is thought to be linked to stress, try not to worry, as this will only make your eczema worse. If you have a significant event coming up in your life, talk to your doctor or nurse about it – they may be able to 'step up' your treatment in preparation for the event.
When your eczema gets you down – You might find that trying to carry on with life as normal and keeping a positive mental attitude can help you pick yourself up again. It's also worth remembering that over 5 million people in the UK are living with eczema and information and support are available – the National Eczema Society is the main patient organisation in England, so why not visit their website: www.eczema.org to find out more.
Dealing with other people's reactions – Sometimes other people's reactions to your eczema can be hurtful and distressing. If someone stares at you, avoids touching you or makes rude comments it may well be because of their own ignorance and fear. You might find it valuable to plan in advance what you want say to people who react negatively, to avoid being tongue-tied and to help you feel in control if the situation arises.
When eczema is affecting your work – If you feel that eczema affects your performance at work, you are not alone. Itchy, sore skin, coupled with sleep disruption, can make it incredibly difficult to concentrate. The ISOLATE study highlighted that many adults with eczema believe that they have been subjected to discrimination at work, including being stared at, being excluded by colleagues and having comments made about them behind their back. In some cases, eczema might hinder your chance at job interviews, limit career progression and, in extreme cases, even restrict your choice of career. Although some employers may not be happy about you taking time off for medical appointments, it may be worth talking to them about your eczema and how it affects you. If they understand your condition they may be more sympathetic and accommodating.
Struggling with friendships and relationships – Many people with eczema experience a sense of social isolation. You may well have found, or still are finding, that having eczema means it's harder to make new friends and harder to find a partner – 1 in 5 people in the ISOLATE study felt this way. If you are already in a relationship you might feel embarrassed or uncomfortable with your partner seeing you naked or touching your body when your eczema flares up. You are definitely not alone – nearly half the people in the ISOLATE study feel body conscious during flare-ups, not wanting to be seen by their partners or seen out in public. If you are feeling isolated because of eczema, don't suffer in silence. Just talking to people who you are close to and who would understand might help to boost your confidence. You could ask for their support to help you socialise more often and to help you to meet new people.
If you think you have anxiety or depression – These are not uncommon conditions amongst people with eczema. So if eczema is causing you significant emotional distress, it's really important you ask for help. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the impact your condition is having on your daily life and see what help and support is available to you.

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