Coping With the Emotional Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Eczemadoes not simply involve having skin discomfort.
It can have a profound impact on a persons mental health, emotional state, and overall well-being.
A hallmarksymptom of eczemaisextreme itchinessthat often keeps a person awake at night.
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Often, the rash appearspredominately on the face, causing embarrassment and for some, extreme problems with self-image.
What Is Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema.
Atopic dermatitis involves dry, inflamed, itchy skin thatoften becomes infected.
Coping with eczema is something that many people with the condition (particularly young people) find challenging.
The negative emotional effects of the symptoms can last for many years, even after the physical symptoms subside.
Eczema can affect people at any age, but it’s usually diagnosed during infancy or childhood.
But some people continue to have eczema throughout their adult lifetime.
When the fight-or-flight response is triggered, stress hormones are released (such as cortisol and adrenaline).
People with eczema are very sensitive to the bodys response to stress/fight-or-flight response.
Some methods may work better for you than others.
Getting enough sleep is imperative for overall physical and mental health.
At night, itching can be the most problematic because there are no activities to help distract a person.
These benefits help contribute to a reduction in stress.
It’s important to establish a regular exercise routine (with your healthcare providers approval).
Exercise has been shown to lower stress levels, reducing flare-ups for people with skin conditions such as eczema.
Children and Physical Activity
Its vital for kids to engage in regular physical activity for many reasons.
In addition, hormonal development (which naturally occurs during the teenage years) happens during sleep.
A child requires a healthy sleep pattern for normal hormone development.
Regular exercise has been found in studies to help to improve sleep.
Sports activities can help kids feel good about themselves.
Participating in team sports helps to build healthy relationships with other kids.
Overcoming Exercise Effects on Eczema
But what about the negative impact that exercise can have on eczema?
The therapy focuses on the psychological issues involved in skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema.
There are only a few psychodermatology clinics around the country.
National Eczema Association.Eczema facts.
American Osteopathic Association.Eczema impacts physical and mental health of 31M Americans.
Rady Childrens Hospital San Diego.Eczema physical and emotional effects.
National Eczema Association.Eczema and emotional health.
National Institutes of Health.Depression overview.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Physical activity reduces stress.
Jones, K. National Eczema Association.How to exercise safely with eczema.
Eczema Foundation.Sport and atopic eczema.
Clay, R. The American Psychological Association.The link between skin and psychology.
How psychologists are helping patients with dermatological problems.
