Eczema is a serious skin disease that causes psychological distress. It can cause sufferers to commit or attempt suicide.
Eczema, otherwise known as atopic dermatitis, is a disease caused by an immune system reaction. It is chronic and inflammatory and affects 9.6 million children and 18 million adults in the United States. It is characterized by an itchy and flaky skin, which can cause extreme discomfort. The affected skin could develop into painful blisters and sores, which is distressing not only physically but also mentally.
Researchers from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine published a study in the journal JAMA Dermatology on the correlation between suicide and eczema. Their study showed just how much eczema psychologically affects those who suffer from it.
Out of 310,681 patients with atopic dermatitis, 36 percent are likely to commit suicide, while the remaining 44 percent have suicidal thoughts compared to those who do not suffer the disease. This finding was derived from an analysis of 15 previous studies along with 4.4. million patients without skin disease and from different continents including Asia, Africa, Europe, and America. However, those with severe eczema tend to have suicidal thoughts compared to those with a mild case.
Researchers wrote in their study that the visibility of the disease could lead the patients to "experience shame, embarrassment, and stigmatization." Studies show that children who suffer eczema perform worse in school compared to those without. This goes the same for adults in a work setting.
So what leads to suicidal thoughts? A theory suggests that eczema is linked with the immune system molecule proinflammatory cytokines, which increases during infection. An increased level of this type of molecule in the central nervous system has the potential to disrupt the balance of the brain's neurotransmitters, which could then prompt the negative thoughts.
Moreover, studies believe that the inflammatory process that results in the dry, itchy skin affects the mood-regulating neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, in the brain. The researchers believe that addressing the physical and psychological burden and the chronic inflammatory state of eczema can help reduce the tendency of patients committing suicide.
Dr. Joel M. Gelfand, medical director of the Dermatology Clinical Studies Unit at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, told CNN that awareness is key when dealing with eczema patients. One should understand that those who suffer from skin disease suffer from a lot of sleep disturbance, social isolation, and stigma, so being supportive helps them deal with the mental and psychological discomfort.
