However atopic dermatitis might be affecting you, you aren’t alone. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans have atopic dermatitis — the most common type of eczema, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). “Atopic dermatitis is a systemic form of eczema that’s more closely related to allergies and asthma,” explains Jessica Krant, MD, MPH, a board-certified dermatologist, lifestyle medicine–certified physician, and certified life coach in New York City. The condition causes dry, itchy skin and painful rashes that may need to be treated with topical and/or oral medication. Along with making you itchy and uncomfortable, atopic dermatitis can also interfere with your sleep, stress levels, self-esteem, and how you manage your social life and intimate relationships. You may find yourself having to constantly apply medication and spend money on expensive skin-care products, and you may be embarrassed by the appearance of your skin. What’s more, “It’s not just the patient’s life that’s affected,” says Chloe Goldman, MD, a dermatologist based in Miami. “It’s also the significant others around them.” If you’re scratching at night, for example, you may be interrupting your partner’s sleep, too. To find out just how big of a toll atopic dermatitis may be taking on your quality of life, take this assessment. Then, learn what you can do to change things for the better.
