Some people who have eczema get upset about their condition. It can be especially hard if they feel really itchy. And sometimes a person's skin may look bad or keep them from doing certain things.

Parents may find it stressful to care for a child who has eczema.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Lapidus CS.
Role of social factors in atopic dermatitis: the US perspective.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2001; 45 (supplement): S41-S43.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ If your child finds it hard not to scratch, it can wear you out to have to remind them again and again. Persuading an angry child who is sick of having eczema to use their treatments can be exhausting.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Arvola T. Tahvanainen A. Isolauri E.
Concerns and expectations of parents with atopic infants.
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. 2000; 11: 183-188

 

 

 

 

 

²

You might have to give your child with eczema extra attention, and other children in the family may feel jealous.

Eczema can also:

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Lapidus CS.
Role of social factors in atopic dermatitis: the US perspective.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2001; 45 (supplement): S41-S43.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

People with eczema, especially children, may get upset about how their skin looks. Older children, who are more aware of their appearance, may worry about this. And you may not be able to take part in sports, such as swimming. The chlorine in swimming pools makes some people's eczema worse, and some people may feel too embarrassed about how their skin looks to go swimming.

These feelings can interfere with relationships and social life.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Lapidus CS.
Role of social factors in atopic dermatitis: the US perspective.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2001; 45 (supplement): S41-S43.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Atopic dermatitis: diagnosing atopic dermatitis.
August 2005. Available at http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Atopic_Dermatitis/atopic_dermatitis_ff.asp (accessed on 22 April 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

³

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Barnetson RS, Rogers M.
Childhood atopic eczema.
BMJ. 2002; 324: 1376-1379.

 

 

 

 

 

⁴

It may help to talk to other people who are dealing with eczema.

If you are a parent and find your child's eczema stressful, you may find it helpful to talk to other parents in a similar situation.

If you are an older child or an adult, it can be a relief to spend time with other people who have problems like yours and who understand. You might pick up some useful tips from them or feel better just knowing that you're not the only person who finds it hard to cope.

Ask your doctor or nurse about groups in your area.

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