Itching, scaling, discoloration — it’s hard to ignore the ways atopic dermatitis (AD) changes your skin. If you have this chronic inflammatory condition, you probably spend considerable time and effort working to manage the symptoms. But AD can affect your well-being in other ways too. Below are some of them:
Risk of
infection
Skin protects your body by keeping out dangerous germs. But scratching itchy skin can create gaps in this protective barrier where germs can invade. By reducing itch, an effective treatment can also lower the risk of infection.
Asthma and hay fever
If you had AD as a young child, you are more likely to have developed other conditions in which the immune system malfunctions. These include the breathing disorders asthma and hay fever (which includes seasonal allergies). Not everyone with AD develops these conditions, but people with more-severe AD are more prone to them.
Contact allergies
AD can make people more likely to develop allergic reactions when their skin is exposed to specific substances called allergens. Contact with an allergen, such as a fragrance or metal in jewelry, can cause an itchy rash to appear.
Sleep difficulty
The itch and discomfort of AD can interfere with sleep. And because sleep is crucial to mental acuity, emotional well-being and physical health, losing it can lead to all sorts of other problems, from difficulty controlling emotions to an increased risk of accidents.
Mental health problems
AD can make some people feel self-conscious about how they look, leading to feelings of anxiety and depression. Loss of sleep and continual itch also can contribute to psychological challenges. By improving symptoms, the right treatment plan can help with sleep and emotional well-being.
Cardiovascular disease
Some research suggests that people with severe AD are at higher-than-normal risk for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. Experts hope to increase awareness of this link, so those at risk know to make extra effort to look after their heart and vascular health.
Caring for your skin helps take care of your whole self. Your healthcare provider can help you manage your symptoms, prevent complications like infections, and look out for your overall well-being. Talk to him or her to find out more.