Itchy, painful and can lead to depression

For many, itching is serious or intolerable. It stings day and night, so that 8 out of 10 patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis suffer from sleep disturbances and more than half of the itching interrupts their sleep five to seven nights a week.

atopic dermatitis

"Some people scratch themselves asleep or try to sleep in. Sometimes the scratching comes from being heard in another room It is difficult for parents who see their child to suffer or for a husband to see their partner in this In any case, the one who suffers the most is the one who lives all his life through itching, rashes, redness and pain, "said Gabriel Gattolin, president of the Association. Argentine Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AAAeIC). It also gives what's called a cycle between itching and the act of scraping, which generates even more itching.

Half of those with the moderate to severe variant also experience pain. The lesions can cover more than half of the body and appear in sensitive areas such as eyelids, neck, elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. By scratching, they can hurt themselves even more and increase the risk of infections. The impact on quality of life is high, in addition to the fact that many of them tend to make a pilgrimage to several doctors until they reach a diagnosis.

atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis can cause a loss of self esteem, the fear of being seen, being bullied and promoting the development of depression. Four out of ten people who suffer are ashamed and half of the patients feel frustrated with their illness.

Those who suffer from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis miss three times more work than others. On average, adolescents lose 26 days of clbades per year for this disease (about 3.5 days per episode). "This affects aspects of everyday life such as choosing clothes, exercising a physical activity, going out with friends or more important issues such as public presentation, interpersonal relationships or the This has negative psychological consequences on anxiety, depression and isolation, "concludes Gabriel Gattolin.