Is Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Messing With Your Body Image?

Body image and self-esteem are closely linked, and a chronic condition such as atopic dermatitis can interfere with both.

If atopic dermatitis has made you dislike how your skin looks or feels, for example, it can be tough to feel good about yourself in general. Similarly, if atopic dermatitis has dealt a blow to your self-esteem, you may struggle to appreciate your body and all the good things about it, which can take a toll on mental health and emotional well-being.

“Any skin disease that can cover a significant amount of someone’s body — and the parts of their body that the world sees — can make people very self-conscious and affect their self-esteem,” says Amy Wechsler, MD, a New York City–based skin health expert who is board certified in both dermatology and psychiatry.

Plus, if atopic dermatitis isn’t well controlled or you’re experiencing a flare, it can “make the skin itchy, raw, and sore, and there can be swelling, rashes, and bleeding,” says Rachel Milstein Goldenhar, PhD, a clinical psychologist in San Diego who specializes in psychodermatology — the treatment of skin conditions using psychological techniques. “It can kind of overtake everything.”

Answer these eight questions to find out if atopic dermatitis has changed your perception of yourself — and what to do to feel confident in your skin.

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Additional Sources

Courtney A el a. The Psychology of Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Clinical Medicine. March 11, 2024.
Ways to Relieve Itch From Eczema. National Eczema Association. March 4, 2025.
Swimming and Eczema. National Eczema Society.
Smith Begolka W et al. Mental Health and Eczema — Seeing the Unseen. National Eczema Association. January 3, 2023.

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD

Medical Reviewer

Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments of inflammatory skin diseases, as well as laser treatment of the skin and injectables.

Dr. Dosal writes cosmetic questions for the certifying exams for the American Board of Dermatology. She is also the deputy editor for the American Academy of Dermatology's podcast, Dialogues in Dermatology.

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Jen Laskey

Author

Jen Laskey is a writer, editor, and content strategist. She has worked on EverydayHealth.com in various capacities since its inception, and her writing has appeared in many major publications, including SAVEUR magazine, EatingWell magazine, NBC, TODAY, and Fodor's Travel guides. She has also served as the senior editorial director of Twill Health, leading editorial strategy and daily operations for Twill's health and mental health apps.

In addition to writing about health, mental health, and wellness, Laskey writes regularly about food, wine/spirits, travel, and the arts. She is the author of Jen’s Candy Jar: Artisanal Candy Recipes for Special Occasions and is the founding executive editor of the multi-award-winning wine & spirits online trade magazine SevenFifty Daily.

She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in writing from Bennington College and Columbia University.

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Is Atopic Dermatitis Interfering With Your Body Image?

Question 1

How do you feel about atopic dermatitis in general?