Eczema is a long-lasting skin condition that causes redness, itching, dryness, and irritation. It is especially common in older adults. In fact, about one in two people over the age of 60 has some form of eczema.
A new study from the University of Oulu in Finland shows that eczema can seriously affect how older adults feel about their health and life overall.
The most common type of eczema in older adults is dry skin eczema, also known as asteatotic eczema. Other types include seborrheic eczema, which causes dandruff and affects oily areas like the scalp and face, and hand eczema. These conditions can cause itching, pain, and burning, which can make daily life very uncomfortable.
The researchers used information from a large health study in northern Finland. They sent surveys to more than 12,000 people, all parents of individuals born in 1966. The average age of the respondents was about 78.
The survey asked about general health, skin conditions, and how people felt about their lives. Some participants also had full-body skin checks by doctors.
The results, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, showed that people with eczema often felt worse about their health than those without it. They were more likely to report pain, discomfort, and itching.
They also felt more negative about the future and enjoyed life less. Overall, people with eczema were 40% more likely to say they had a poor quality of life.
The study also found that people with eczema were more likely to feel anxious. Doctors who examined the participants confirmed the self-reported results. The researchers say that eczema is not just a skin problem—it also affects mental and emotional well-being. Ongoing symptoms can disturb sleep, lower energy, and even cause people to avoid social situations.
Dr. Suvi-Päivikki Sinikumpu, a skin disease specialist involved in the study, explained that simple treatments can help a lot. Most people can manage eczema with regular use of unscented moisturizing creams and mild steroid creams. For more serious cases, treatments may include light therapy or stronger medicines, which are given by specialists.
The study calls on health care providers to pay more attention to eczema in older adults. Since the condition is so common and has such a strong effect on well-being, it’s important to help patients manage it well. Doctors should also consider how well older adults can follow treatment plans in their daily lives.
If you care about skin health, please read studies about eating fish linked to higher risk of skin cancer, and Vitamin B3 could help prevent skin cancers.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vegetable oil linked to spread of cancer, and results showing Vitamin D could help treat skin inflammation.
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