Eczema.com

Getting some insight into the life of someone with eczema can direct in knowing how to help them. One mistaken notion about eczema is regarding it simply as a skin irritation or minor inconvenience. That’s only half true. The real story is that eczema can cause severe depression and lifelong emotional damage. Here are some statistics.

• Over half of eczema patients are intensely worried about having another eczema flare-up.
• 25% of those with eczema explain that at some point they were teased, mocked, ostracize, or bullied due to their condition—either children at school or adults at their workplace.
• 51% of people with eczema experience constant or regular depression over their condition.
• Nearly 15% of those with eczema relate that they were discriminated against and overlooked for promotions or advancements due to their eczema.
• Regarding their relationship with their doctors and medical professionals, two-thirds of people with eczema relate that they have never talked about the social or emotional component of their struggle with eczema.
• 86% of people who experience a sudden spike in their eczema will intentionally avoid an everyday activity due to the increase.
• During an eczema flare-up, 43% of people are nervous about appearing in public.
• Those who have eczema will take an average of 2 ½ days off from work or from school because of an eczema flare-up.

If you have eczema, there are people that know, that care, and that understand. My personal journey through eczema has produced a greater understanding of the serious impact it can have upon people. I encourage you to seek support, pursue treatment, and live life to the fullest.

Credit goes to the International Study of Life with Atopic Eczema for some of the facts and figures in this article.