It’s National Eczema Week; and therefore an important opportunity to raise awareness of the condition and highlight the devastating impact it can have on a person’s mental health. With 1 in 5 children[1] and 1 in 12 adults[2] suffering with eczema in the UK, it is more common than people might think.
Here at QV, we recently carried out a survey* as part of our A Hand to Hold campaign to help us to understand the ways eczema, amongst other skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis, affects people emotionally.
We discovered that 43% of people feel very alone due to not having the right support, 59% said their skin condition had a negative impact on their social life and more than a third of people have experienced cruel comments or looks of disgust from strangers.
Furthermore, sadly only 9% of people living with common skin conditions said they feel confident and empowered, and as a result of this upsetting statistic, we have launched the ‘Restore your skin confidence’ initiative as part of our A Hand to Hold campaign. By doing this, we aim to help those who may be struggling to embrace their skin condition and help to educate people on the emotional and physical impact of living with a skin condition. We’re asking people to reach out their hand in support.
Our survey illustrated the effects living with a skin condition can have on a person’s confidence, self-esteem and mental health, as the following comments speak for themselves:
“I don’t leave the house much.”
“I’ve become quite agoraphobic as I’m so embarrassed.”
“It makes me feel very self-conscious so I don’t like looking in the mirror or going out.”
We want to encourage people to feel more confident, and if you feel like you need someone to talk to, consider speaking to your GP or a counsellor. Mental health charity MIND can also help you find the support you need. Visit www.mind.org.uk, call the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 or send a text to 86463.
Stay tuned for more useful information and guidance from QV and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook @QVSkincareUK and Twitter @QVSkincare_UK.
* Statistics according to survey of 1250 people conducted by QV Skincare in June 2018.
[1] Lewis-Jones S and Mugglestone MA. Management of atopic eczema in children aged up to 12 years: summary of NICE guidance. BMJ 2007; 335(7632): 1263-1264.
[2] About us (Internet) 2018 Available from: http://www.eczema.org/about-us