Eczema is one of the chronic skin diseases that can be managed effectively by sticking with a customized treatment plan. The condition also called atopic dermatitis, can occur on all or specific parts of the body. It causes reddened, dry, itchy, or scaly/cracked skin, increasing the risk of infections.
Recent studies estimate that eczema affects one in four children in the U.S., and up to 3% of the adult population worldwide experiences some symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Most children outgrow eczema at some point in their life. However, those who develop it later in life may live with it through adulthood. Below, we have rounded up the three ways in which eczema may affect your everyday life and how you can deal with the condition.
1. Eczema Affects Mental Health and Quality of Life
Managing eczema takes effort and time, considering many people will feel embarrassed, anxious, and lack self-confidence. If the physical impact that this condition causes on the skin isn’t actively treated, the patient may feel helpless, leading to frustration and even depression. This may also affect how you relate with others and the choices you make in your day-to-day life.
These conditions may be worsened by sleep disturbance, common in people with atopic dermatitis. Some patients fighting chronic eczema often have difficulty falling asleep, while others wake up several times at night. The lack of or inadequate sleep aggravates eczema symptoms and creates an unpleasant cycle for patients.
2. Increases Risk of Allergic Disorders
The inflammation of the skin and body tissues caused by eczema hurts the patient’s health habits. Over the years, it’s been observed that eczema patients tend to develop allergic disorders such as asthma, food allergy, and even hay fever. And while the cause of these allergic reactions is not scientifically proven, there’s a strong connection between eczema-caused inflammation and allergic disorders.
Patients can manage eczema symptoms by being aware of the risk factors and avoiding all the possible triggers. For instance, you can reduce winter eczema flare-ups by watching your diet, hydrating frequently, avoiding hot baths, etc. During summer, avoid hot and humid environments and ensure you rinse off your skin after a swimming session.
3. Eczema Compromises the Immune Systems
Chronic eczema may cause the skin to crack or scale-out, exposing the sensitive skin cells to bacterial infections such as impetigo. Similarly, if eczema is left untreated, it could comprise the immune system. For example, it puts patients at risk for internal infections, especially those of the urinary and upper respiratory tract.
If you often experience respiratory/urinary tract problems and have an eczema diagnosis, talk to your doctor to help customize a treatment plan. Besides the topical drugs, some moderate to severe eczema treatments could work best for your unique case.
Conclusion
Controlling eczema flare-ups can help improve related conditions such as sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression. In patients with chronic or long-lasting atopic dermatitis, conditions such as cardiovascular problems may develop due to the condition’s cumulative effect on the body. The best treatment option, therefore, will largely depend on the individual state and the severity of the eczema symptoms.
That said, treating symptoms may not be an effective long-term strategy, so it’s necessary to devise a more effective treatment plan that improves the quality of life. Some modern eczema drugs, such as Adbry, have significantly improved the health of many patients. Still, your dermatologist must first approve it for your use based on your medical history and the severity of the condition.
Regardless of what you are going through, you can always manage the eczema condition and get your happy life back. Consult a qualified doctor today and get started with a personalized dermatitis treatment plan.
