Understanding Eczema: Awareness, Empathy, and Everyday Realities

Every September, communities around the world recognize Eczema Awareness Month. It's a time to shine light on a condition that affects millions, including many students here at Western. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes dryness, redness, irritation, and intense itching. In Canada, roughly 17% of children and 10% of adults live with eczema symptoms (Eczema Society of Canada, 2025). 

While it may seem mild or temporary from the outside, the reality for those who live with it can be far more complicated. Eczema affects more than physical comfort; it influences emotional well-being, social confidence, and everyday quality of life. Flare-ups can be unpredictable and triggered by stress, weather changes, allergens, physical activity, or even clothing materials. 

For many people, managing eczema becomes a constant balance of trying new treatments, adjusting routines, and learning how to advocate for their needs. Eczema Awareness Month encourages us to move away from treating it as a “skin issue” and instead understand it as a lived experience that deserves empathy and consideration.

Lived Experiences: More Than Just Dry Skin

For those who do not experience eczema, it is easy to underestimate how draining it can be. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night because your skin burns or itches. Imagine choosing long sleeves in the summer because you feel embarrassed about your flare-ups. Imagine being told to “use lotion” after you have already tried countless moisturizers, prescription creams, and changes in diet.

Many students quietly manage their symptoms every day. That might mean keeping humidifiers in dorm rooms, carrying creams in backpacks, adjusting workouts to avoid sweat irritation, or missing social events when symptoms become overwhelming. The emotional aspect, such as embarrassment or fear of judgment, can be just as difficult as the physical discomfort.

Common Struggles People With Eczema Face

Eczema is unpredictable. Symptoms can settle for weeks and suddenly flare up without warning. Stressful periods like exam season or changes in weather often worsen inflammation. Everyday triggers such as laundry detergent, dust, chlorine, fragrance, or certain foods can make symptoms harder to control. Sleep disturbances are also common, and one international study found that over 60% of individuals with eczema reported sleep difficulties because of itch (Langan et al. 47).

Alongside the physical struggles, people with eczema often deal with stigma or misunderstanding. Many feel anxious about scratching in public or worry that others will think their skin is contagious or unhygienic. Difficulty concentrating, low confidence, and emotional stress can add another layer to the condition. Eczema is not “just a rash.” It is a chronic condition that affects many aspects of day-to-day life.

Who It Affects and Clearing Up Misconceptions

Eczema can affect anyone. While it is common in childhood, many people continue to experience symptoms well into adulthood. Genetic predispositions, immune responses, and environmental conditions all play a role. A frequent misconception is that eczema is contagious, which is false. Another common myth is that most people simply grow out of it. Some do, but many continue to experience flare-ups throughout their lives. Research estimates that up to 30% of children with eczema continue to have symptoms as adults (Eichenfield et al. 137).

There is also a belief that eczema is caused by poor hygiene or lack of skin care effort. In reality, flare-ups are influenced by a wide range of factors that differ from person to person. Understanding these misconceptions helps create a more supportive environment for those living with eczema.

How to Support Someone With Eczema

Being supportive begins with compassion. Instead of assuming, ask what someone needs. If a friend avoids an event, wears protective clothing, or needs to excuse themselves to apply cream, understand that they are taking care of their health.

We can also advocate for accessible and welcoming environments on campus. This may include encouraging fragrance-free event spaces, offering unscented toiletries, or showing flexibility toward students experiencing severe flare-ups.

Accessibility is not just about physical access but about recognizing invisible health challenges as well. Small acts of allyship matter. Share trusted resources, approach conversations with patience, and gently correct harmful comments when you hear them. These actions contribute to a culture of empathy and respect.

Conclusion

Eczema Awareness Month reminds us that inclusion is not limited to visible disabilities. By acknowledging the physical, emotional, and social realities behind eczema, we help build a more understanding community. When we choose compassion over judgment and take the time to listen, we create a campus where every student can feel seen and supported, not only during this month but throughout the year.

Written by Hallem Shan

Reviewed by Amirali Saeedi

Date: November 30th, 2025

Works Cited

Eichenfield, Lawrence F., et al. “Atopic Dermatitis: Epidemiology and Pathogenesis.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 70, no. 1, 2014, pp. 137–149.

Eczema Society of Canada. “Facts and Figures.” Eczema Canada, 2023, www.eczemacanada.ca.

Langan, Sinéad M., et al. “The Role of Sleep Disturbance in Atopic Dermatitis.” Allergy, vol. 75, no. 1, 2020, pp. 47–53.