A therapist might be able to help you with eczema if you experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns because of the skin condition.

Eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition, but the effects go much deeper than that. Changes in the color and texture of the skin can impact self-esteem, and constant itchiness, discomfort, and self-consciousness can cause emotional distress.

Collectively, these symptoms can lead to significant mental and physical health concerns, possibly affecting your overall mood, sleep, attention span, and even your livelihood.

Stress and emotional distress can also worsen eczema symptoms and lead to flare-ups, especially for those moving from childhood into their teen years and adulthood.

Potential mental health concerns

People with eczema may experience mental health issues, including:

As emotional well-being and eczema go hand-in-hand and affect each other, managing your mental health is an important component of your eczema care journey.

In a recent study, people with eczema who participated in an internet-based therapy program had less frequent eczema symptoms after 12 weeks of therapy. These benefits lasted for as long as a year after the therapy sessions were completed.

Compared with people who only received education on their disease and treatment but didn’t participate in the therapy program, those who received therapy were also found to have:

  • less intense itching
  • lower stress levels
  • fewer sleep problems
  • lower levels of depression

Therapy has many benefits for people with eczema, including physical and emotional relief.

Therapists can also offer tips for coping with the stress of living with eczema and techniques to avoid constant scratching.

Building your eczema healthcare team

You may also consider finding an allergist or dermatologist to help you evaluate and treat eczema. This is just as important for your management as minding our mental health.

People with eczema may be prescribed a variety of therapies to help manage their mental health, such as:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, focuses on changing one’s mindset and way of thinking to prevent unwanted behaviors. For people with eczema, that may mean developing strategies to prevent scratching in stressful situations.

Therapists can also help with relaxation techniques that can help you take care of your mental well-being by reducing stress. These may include exercises such as:

Some people may prefer internet-based therapy, while others may prefer in-person therapy over online sessions. If you’re experiencing severe depression or anxiety from your eczema symptoms, your therapist may prefer to start in person as well.

In addition to therapy, there are steps you can take on your own to protect your mental health.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) offers some tips for coping with stress related to eczema.

  • Connect with others who have eczema: Having eczema can feel isolating, but it’s actually one of the most common skin conditions. Connecting with others, such as through online support groups, can help boost self-esteem, reduce feelings of isolation, and help you learn new ways to cope with living with eczema.
  • Learn effective strategies for stress management: If you find that you’re unable to relax or handle your stress on your own, a therapist can help you identify healthy coping strategies.
  • Practice healthy habits: Eat nutritious, well-balanced meals, prioritize quality sleep, and get regular physical activity. This also means practicing healthy skin care habits, such as moisturizing often and using medications prescribed by your dermatologist.
  • Connect with an eczema specialist: Depending on your particular eczema needs, you may consult an allergist or dermatologist. They are experienced at treating eczema, which means their patients often have fewer eczema symptoms and, in turn, eczema-related stress than people treated by non-specialists. If you haven’t already, talk with your regular healthcare professional about how to connect with an eczema specialist in your area.

Life with eczema can take a toll on your mental health, especially if your symptoms flare-up.

Research shows that people with eczema may benefit from seeing a therapist who can help them develop healthy coping strategies and relaxation techniques to reduce stress, which in turn can help relieve symptoms related to eczema.

If you find that you’re experiencing intrusive or negative thoughts related to your eczema, your healthcare team (primary care doctor, allergist, or dermatologist) can help connect you with a therapist who understands your unique needs.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.