Community Tips: COVID-19 & eczema

COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives – from scheduling medical appointments and running errands to managing school and work, to figuring out creative ways to keep in touch with friends and family.

It’s more important than ever for people with eczema to stay on top of their stress levels and skincare routines in these challenging times. But that’s easier said than done when things like sanitizing your hands or wearing a mask can exacerbate flare-ups.

We asked the eczema community to share the ways in which managing their eczema has been impacted by COVID-19.

When it comes to your eczema, how has COVID-19 changed your day-to-day life?

FACEBOOK

I’ve had more time to properly care for my skin and hydrate, and no flare-ups. — Dana Marie W. 

We have had more time to devote to wet wrap therapy, and it has transformed my daughter’s skin! — Jeanne M. 

Wearing masks at work flares up the eczema around my lips — mostly under my nose. — Marie M. 

My hands are an absolute disaster from all the hand washing and sanitizer. I don’t do sanitizer anymore. I just bring gentle soap with me and wash ASAP. — Anne F. 

My skin is so much worse — more stress, more handwashing and cleaning (working in childcare, even through stage 4 lockdown), no salt therapy, no false nails which control scratching! — Briony M. 

My daughter (16) is the one with eczema. As if life wasn’t difficult enough for a teen with eczema, all her fun stuff (like camp for dermatology-impacted kids) was canceled. So that’s been a bummer. — Holli Y. 

I lost my insurance. — Auna N. 

I’ve had extreme eczema flare-ups on my face and neck. I work the nightshift and wear masks for up to 10 hours! My face is actually raw by the morning! — Sabrina S. 

I have hand eczema flare-ups and wear gloves when I grocery shop. — Tracy M. 

INSTAGRAM

I’m able to spend more time putting Vaseline on in the morning and night. I don’t have to worry about wearing shorts in the summer because I’m home and can wear long pants that help with my leg breakouts. Overall, it’s been helpful being home! — kaitlinmduncan 

The stress and anxiety I have experienced during quarantine has significantly increased my itch and rashes. I have never had so many rashes at once in my life. I have never noticed my itch as much as I do now. — maddy_harman 

I believe my flares are getting better because of doing school from home, and it’s a bit less stressful (although I do miss my in-school learning). — molly_j03 

I love wearing a mask because it hides my facial eczema. Makes me feel normal. — the_ratcliffs 

I always thought my eczema was only connected to stress. However, I have been stressed while working from home. Now I believe my flare-ups could be connected to the office environment where I work. With how great my skin has been, it’s hard to imagine going back to the office. — alexa_dallas 

Would you like to share your tips with the eczema community? Join NEA Ambassadors and be first to hear about opportunities to share your eczema advice!