MANAGING ATOPIC DERMATITIS

You know that managing atopic dermatitis takes time and energy. Find resources and strategies for efficiently managing your atopic dermatitis below.

The Benefits of Having an Action Plan

Another important part of self-managing your atopic dermatitis is understanding what to do, and when to do it.

That’s why having an action plan can be helpful. An action plan is a personalized document created with your healthcare team. The plan outlines your doctor’s instructions for how to manage your atopic dermatitis, from basic skin care to how to respond to flares. Having a written plan can give you confidence that you’re following your doctor’s instructions and are prepared to respond to any changes in your condition. At the completion of this activity, you’ll have the opportunity to download an action plan that you can take to your next appointment and complete with your doctor.

Emotional support matters too.

Atopic dermatitis can have a significant effect on your quality of life. Although action plans traditionally focus on your medical treatment alone, incorporating emotional support into your plan may help you better cope with the stress of living with a chronic disease. Because your needs may change based on how things are going, having a variety of options to choose from can be helpful.

In the activity that follows, select the different stages of atopic dermatitis to reveal strategies that may help you incorporate emotional support into your atopic dermatitis management routine.

Consider the resources.

Here are some suggested strategies to help you address the emotional impact of atopic dermatitis. Once you've reviewed them, download the Atopic Dermatitis Action Plan. The coping strategies are already included, but you will need to work with your doctor to complete the rest of the action plan. Select a symptom severity below.



  • Try mindful breathing
    to help you cope with
    worrying about future
    flares



    Take time to be
    mindful of the world
    around you



    Focus on developing
    healthy habits, like
    maintaining your skin-
    care routine

    Even without a visible rash, the inflammation still exists beneath the surface. It's important to maintain your daily skin-care routine. Consider talking with your doctor about the effect atopic dermatitis has on your life, even when you aren’t having a flare.



  • Practice guided
    meditation exercises 
    to help you cope with
    discomfort




    Watch videos to
    distract your mind     
    from the pain and itch




    Use distraction
    techniques like
    rubbing a worry stone
    or read a book

    At the first visible sign of a flare-up, try to focus on ways to minimize the extent of the flare. This may be a good time to focus on managing stress, which can also trigger flares.



  • Learn about 
    techniques to get
    better sleep    , like
    cutting out your
    afternoon coffee



    Focus on self-
    compassion to combat
    negative thoughts




    Develop distraction
    techniques to help you
    resist scratching

    When your symptoms are severe, the primary focus is finding relief. A serious flare can be incredibly disruptive to your life, so remember to be kind to yourself.

Discover Coping Strategies

Do these quotes sound like you? Select each box to find out more
about ways you can help manage atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is an immunological disease that is often mistakenly thought of as just a skin condition. But understanding the underlying inflammation that causes flare-ups can help you cope.

Atopic dermatitis can affect more than your physical health—it can also affect your emotional health. Learn how to combat atopic dermatitis by focusing on your emotional wellness.

Keeping an open dialogue with your doctor and connecting with other people who suffer from atopic dermatitis can help you learn about new innovations that may help.
 

*Individual experiences may vary.

Health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.