resilient in that respect, according to Kirsner.
But “understandably, severe eczema, even in children, can cause depression and associated internalizing symptoms such as low self-esteem, fear and worrying,” he says.
It is worth noting that even “less severely affected patients apparently are emotionally affected by the disease and may internalize their feelings and manifest symptoms,” Kirsner says.
This suggests “more aggressive, expert treatment for even mild eczema might improve the lives of children and have the potential for long-term mental health benefits,” he adds.
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What can parents do?
Abuabara says they should strive to get the best care possible, not only for eczema itself but for the emotional hardship it may trigger.
“If you have a child with eczema that you’re concerned about, it is important to talk to their doctor about optimizing their eczema treatment and to ask about behavioral screening and support through their clinic and/or school,” Abuabara says.
Eczema may affect your child’s mental and physical health but with the right regimen of bathing, moisturizing and medication, your child can be comfortable. There is no “right” treatment for eczema so work with your child’s doctor about the best treatment/combination of treatments for your child’s condition.