Health Conditions / Skin Health / Eczema

As noted above, stress can exacerbate eczema symptoms for some people, resulting in a not-so-fun cycle. According to the National Eczema Association, tense feelings spark the fight-or-flight response, which increases the production of cortisol, the so-called stress hormone. The body can then respond to these high cortisol levels in the form of inflammation in the skin, potentially resulting in an eczema flare-up in those who are susceptible. You’re having a hard time focusing.Eczema can make it challenging to focus on your daily responsibilities in work and life. For starters, the intense itching can be distracting as heck. And, again, sleep issues caused by eczema can also add fuel to the fire. As Dr. Guttman-Yassky points out, losing sleep can disrupt your mental and cognitive function, making it difficult to think, concentrate, and go about your day.5 A 2020 study in The British Journal of Dermatology found a connection between eczema severity and work productivity. According to the findings, the more severe the eczema, the more work productivity declines, which can negatively affect a person’s quality of life.6 Your self-confidence is taking a hit.As with many skin conditions, eczema can take a toll on body image and self-esteem, so much so that you might even feel like avoiding other people, something Dr. Guttman-Yassky says she’s noticed in her own patients. This is especially likely if your patches are oozing, crusting, or if they’re on visible areas of the body, like your face or hands. In these scenarios, seemingly routine interactions like shaking hands or hopping on a Zoom meeting can feel like a waking nightmare.Your relationships are suffering.“Eczema can interfere with building relationships,” Dr. Guttman-Yassky says. This includes relationships with romantic partners, as heightened stress and poor self-esteem stemming from eczema can potentially impede your ability to maintain these connections. Your rashes and patches might also hurt when touched, further complicating intimate interactions.7 In some cases, these intimacy issues can contribute to breakups, according to Dr. Guttman-Yassky. As for family members and friends? They might be unable to grasp how crappy you’re feeling—or, in some cases, you may be tempted to pull back on socializing due to embarrassment or physical pain. In turn, you might feel less connected with loved ones, which can further erode your mental well-being. How to find mental health support when you have eczemaOkay, so eczema is clearly more than skin deep… but what can you do about its mental health effects? While there’s no cure for eczema, one of the first steps toward finding relief from both its mental and physical symptoms is establishing a long-term treatment plan with a dermatologist or primary care doctor, according to Dr. Guttman-Yassky. (If you don’t have access to one, check out the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics or the HRSA Data Warehouse to look for free or low-cost health care providers near you.) Treatments like topical creams, biologics, and immunosuppressive medications can help you manage the physical manifestations of eczema, and ultimately, the mental symptoms, notes Dr. Guttman-Yassky. 

Research suggests that the biggest culprits are synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon, which are usually made with cheap dyes that can bleed off. Cotton blends and corduroy are also commonly treated with wrinkle-resistant finishes, says Dr. Chen. Contact dermatitis tends to occur in areas of the body that get sweaty or rub against clothing, such as your armpits, upper back, waistline, or inner thighs. “The clothing that’s going to have more direct contact with the skin is more likely to cause a problem,” she says. (Think underwear, swimwear, sportswear, or the inner linings of skirts and dresses.)Many people won’t develop reactions to these irritants if they choose to forgo a first wash, but research finds that textile-based contact dermatitis isn’t uncommon. Dr. Chen’s take: It’s a reasonable precaution to wash your new clothes to rinse off any residue, especially if you have sensitive skin. In her own life, she always washes first: “It’s an easy enough thing to do, and it’s not worth the potential issues” to just wear clothes off the rack, she says.Clothes are likely swarming with germs. Dyes and chemicals aren’t the only possible issue. Though it’d be nice to believe your purchases came straight from a sterile (albeit chemical-filled) environment, that’s likely not the case. There’s a solid chance that other shoppers tried on your items first (either in the store or before returning them), or that they were handled by people working in a manufacturing facility, warehouse, or brick-and-mortar store. And if another person touches the clothing, it automatically has the potential to carry all kinds of pathogens, like staph, norovirus, and even bits of feces (see why I’m now pro wash?). “Man leaves his imprint of microorganisms on whatever he touches—whether it’s a countertop or a piece of clothing,” Dr. Tierno says.In 2010, Dr. Tierno swabbed a bunch of store-bought clothing for a Good Morning America segment and found all types of germs: respiratory secretions, vaginal organisms, and fecal matter. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but this is especially a risk with vintage or second-hand clothes. In fact, some research has shown that used garments can be contaminated with the bugs that cause pediculosis (lice infestation) and scabies—no thank you! That doesn’t mean all previously owned clothes are a health issue waiting to happen, but just that it’s worth putting your new-to-you finds through the wash before wearing them, just in case.This all really depends on the type of clothing, too, says Dr. Tierno: Underwear and bathing suits are more likely than, say, a puffer jacket to contain another person’s flora, the group of microorganisms that lives on each and every one of us, because those items are worn closer to intimate body parts. Some of those germs can survive on dry fabric for a few days; others—like staph or E. coli—can live for weeks and even months on clothing. Don’t panic, though: The overall risk of getting sick from germs living on your new clothes? “Pretty low,” says Dr. Tierno. Your body is covered in microorganisms that do a pretty good job of protecting you from infectious intruders, he says. But that doesn’t mean the risk is zero—especially for the elderly, people with psoriasis or other skin conditions that can cause cracking or weakening of the skin, and those living with a chronic disease making them more susceptible to getting sick from microorganisms, he adds. If you ordered your items online and they arrived sealed in cellophane, you’re less likely to come down with something if you jump right into your clothes, says Dr. Tierno. But if you bought the items at a store where people may have touched them or tried them on, it can’t hurt to run them through the wash (ideally, on a hot setting, since heat can kill unwanted germs). “That’s a safe bet, especially when you’re dealing with underwear and things that are not packaged,” Dr. Tierno says. As for me? Now that I know we’re all “bathed in fecal matter as a society,” as Dr. Tierno told me, I’m gonna hold out until my new outfits have been through the spin cycle. Even if the risk of getting sick from my new yoga pants is low, I’d rather rest easy knowing they aren’t teeming with teeny-tiny bugs. Related:

If you regularly read skin care stories, you’ve probably come across the often-touted advice to patch test new products before trying them. (It’s certainly a suggestion SELF has made more than once!) But what exactly does patch testing a new serum or moisturizer entail? Is it something everyone really needs to do, or does it fall more into the “wash your comforter weekly” advice category—a goal that’s idealistic, but probably won’t happen every time it should? We asked a few top dermatologists for their take on this common recommendation, as well as step-by-step instructions for how to patch test skin care products at home.What is skin care product patch testing?There’s no rocket (or even dermatological) science involved here: A DIY patch test simply involves applying a small amount of a new product on an inconspicuous spot—before you slather it all over your face or body—and monitoring your skin to see how it reacts. (More on all of those specifics to come.) “It helps let you know if you’re going to experience a reaction to a new product before you’ve applied it on your face, where a reaction is much more unpleasant to deal with,” Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City, tells SELF. Just don’t confuse this with professional, in-office patch testing, during which a dermatologist or allergist tests specifically for reactions to potential allergens, like common skin care ingredients or environmental substances. To that point, a DIY patch test at home can help you determine if you can tolerate a particular product, but if you have a reaction, it won’t pinpoint exactly which ingredient is causing the problem, Michelle Henry, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City, tells SELF.Who should consider patch testing skin care products?All of the dermatologists SELF spoke with agreed that, ideally, at-home patch testing is a good idea for everyone and every type of product that has prolonged contact with your skin, from moisturizer to makeup. However, it can admittedly be time-consuming and cumbersome. As such, they all also emphasized that patch testing is especially important for certain people. If you have a history of sensitive skin; have reacted poorly or experienced irritation after using new products in the past; have rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, or other chronic skin conditions; or have known skin allergies, at-home patch testing is particularly important, says Dr. King. You can also decide whether or not to patch test based on the kind of product you’re trying. “Most people can get away with not patch testing mild formulas, such as fragrance-free moisturizers that don’t contain any active ingredients,” Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego and a clinical professor at Scripps Encinitas Memorial Hospital, tells SELF. On the flip side, any product with a lengthy ingredients list and/or actives such as retinoids, exfoliating acids, or vitamin C, should be patch tested before you fully incorporate it into your routine; these are more likely to elicit a reaction, Dr. Palm advises. How to patch-test a skin care productOur experts offered up some slightly differing pieces of advice, so you have options.The forearm methodDr. King suggests applying a thin layer of the new product to a nickel-sized area of clean, dry skin on the inside of the forearm. Why here? It’s a discreet spot, so if a reaction does show up, it won’t be super visible. Still, the skin is delicate enough that it’s comparable to the skin on your face, she explains. Leave it on and don’t wash it off, then reapply the product—the same amount in the same spot—as often as the instructions recommend, be that once or twice daily. 

If you put 10 people in a room, chances are, one of them has some form of eczema. If that person is you, you probably know that it can be uncomfortable—and very tricky to treat. There’s a lot to unpack about this common skin condition, which isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. If you’re dealing with eczema, it may be well worth asking a dermatologist about a skin patch test, which can help determine what—if any—topical ingredients you’re allergic to that may be exacerbating your skin issues. Patch testing can also help you confirm the type of eczema you have, so you’re better positioned to treat it. Below, experts tell SELF when it’s a good idea for people with eczema symptoms to get patch-tested, plus pretty much everything else you need to know about the process. What is eczema, exactly?High-level summary: It’s not just one thing. “Eczema is an umbrella term for inflammatory skin conditions,” Kristel Polder, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Department of Dermatology, tells SELF. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are actually seven different types of eczema. While there are differences among them, common symptoms occur across the board: Many people with eczema develop scaly, itchy skin that can be red, purple, brown, or ashy gray in color, depending on your skin tone, Peter Lio, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and member of the National Eczema Association’s Scientific & Medical Advisory Council, tells SELF. What most people call “eczema”—a rash-like patch of inflamed skin—is usually atopic dermatitis (AD), Dr. Lio says. (This is the most common type of eczema, so it makes sense that the two terms are often used interchangeably.) In terms of what causes AD: “A number of factors contribute to atopic dermatitis. For many people, there’s a genetic component: a deficiency in a protein known as filaggrin, which leads to a compromised, ‘leaky’ skin barrier,” he explains. Plenty of external and environmental factors can also come into play, including weather, diet, and exposure to certain substances and materials, Dr. Lio adds. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition with no actual cure, but there are multiple ways to manage it and keep it in check, Hayley Goldbach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Brown University, tells SELF.Contact dermatitis is another common type of eczema. In this case, the skin reacts to a specific trigger that triggers the inflammation, Dr. Goldbach explains. There’s some additional nuance here, too, as there are two types: allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and irritant contact dermatitis (ICD).1 “Allergic contact dermatitis is a type of hypersensitivity to a certain allergen that triggers an immune response and causes inflammation,” says Dr. Goldbach. Irritant contact dermatitis, on the other hand, is an injury to the skin—the immune system isn’t involved. As a general rule of thumb, think of irritant contact dermatitis as a bit more universal: If anyone were to overuse retinoids (which tend to cause irritation, especially when you first start using them) or an industrial-strength soap, for example, it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll experience some degree of skin irritation, Dr. Goldbach says. Allergic contact dermatitis is much more individual, because it’s caused by allergens that are unique to each person.1 (Finding out what those are is where a patch test comes in—more on that in a moment.) So, is there a connection between skin allergies and eczema?A more accurate way of looking at it is by examining the connection between allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis (again, and please stay with us here, both conditions are types of eczema). 

Kayla started wearing sustainable and natural fibers for environmental purposes, but has found her skin tolerates them better too. “I wear more natural fibers in the winter, like cotton, bamboo, and wool, because I notice synthetic materials can really exacerbate my eczema,” she says. While some people experience skin irritation from wool in particular, it works well for Kayla. “I wear a fine merino wool base layer when it’s really cold. I perspire a decent amount—even in winter—so I need something that keeps me warm, is breathable, and dries quickly.”Kayla finds that being choosy about the fabrics she puts against her skin (including bedding, clothing, and sleepwear) can make a big difference. “I use soft microfiber sheets for sleeping,” she says. “I also wear soft, loose clothes and cover up outside, especially when the wind bites.”“I make sure to avoid the specific foods that trigger my eczema.”Despite the fact that eczema is so common, the things that aggravate it and cause symptoms to come on can vary among individuals. For Carolyn S., 39, avoiding her specific triggers is key for keeping winter flares at bay. She’s found that the dry, indoor heat aggravates the eczema on her face, while winter layers paired with indoor heat will cause her to sweat, which also triggers her eczema. Since she can only do so much to control the heating systems in the buildings she’s in, she focuses on the triggers she can control to minimize flares this time of year as much as possible.“I make sure to avoid the specific foods and ingredients that trigger my eczema, which include tree nuts—almonds, cashews, pistachios, and walnuts, as well as nut milks—shrimp, and American-made chocolates,” she tells SELF. “Avoiding those food triggers becomes more important this time of year because of additional triggers, as well as the fact that holiday foods, in general, incorporate all of them.”“I don’t leave the house without lotion.” Most people with eczema will emphasize how using specific skin care products as part of their daily routines is one of the biggest things they do to keep their skin calm and comfortable. Alyssa Bourne-Peters, 25, takes it a step further, making sure she’s never without her lotions.“I don’t leave the house without lotion at all. I will turn back home if I left and forgot to put it in my purse,” she tells SELF. “I just try to keep myself as moisturized as possible so that the dryness is less obvious.”Carolyn also makes sure her favorite moisturizer is always at the ready. “I keep my favorite lotion on hand in all the bathrooms and make sure to immediately slather it on after hand washing or showering,” she says.“I make sure to immediately shower and moisturize after workouts.”Like many other people with eczema, Eliza Gwendalyn, 35, is diligent about showering and moisturizing her skin after working out. As the AAD notes, sweat can be a trigger for eczema flares, and Eliza says she often experiences stinging and irritated skin if she sweats a lot.

“Each time I attended a meeting, and it went well—or at least not badly—I unlearned something, and it turned out that I was unlearning my own thoughts about myself. As it often is, I was my own worst critic,” Ashbridge says. “People still booked meetings with me with or without makeup. I built my business when my eczema was at its worst. The reality was that no one was devaluing me or what I had to say because I had dry, cracked skin on my face. The negative thoughts were all coming from within.”5. Focus on what your body can do.For Doris Espejo, 40, who was diagnosed with eczema five years ago, living with the condition has been especially tough with her career as a nurse.“As nurses, we use our hands for everything, and the constant washing of hands and glove-wearing can aggravate flare-ups,” she tells SELF. “Also, if patients see them they sometimes think it’s something contagious, or will ask what it is.” The thought of making a patient feel uncomfortable or concerned about her cleanliness does a number on Espejo’s self-esteem.Focusing on self-care so she can feel her best overall—which ultimately gives eczema less power over her—has helped a lot. “Exercising has helped me overcome those feelings by focusing on what my body can do rather than its imperfections and just accepting it,” she says.6. Be patient with yourself.For Kira West, 29, who was diagnosed with eczema around age 10, coping with the skin condition as a teen and young adult was tough on her self-esteem. Figuring out what her triggers were, dressing in a way that made her legs comfortable, and, more importantly, recognizing that her flares were temporary, was crucial. She learned to manage her anxiety around flares by reminding herself that they would always pass.“That mental approach helped me to maintain my overall confidence even amidst a flare-up,” she tells SELF. “Flares are not who I am…Managing it and just giving it time and patience honestly helped a lot.”In addition to her doctor emphasizing how common eczema is, as well as having supportive parents, West found peace in realizing she’s not alone. She got to this point by doing online research and engaging in online forums, which helped her feel a lot better about her situation. “As an adult, [I know] no one is going to judge my value as a person on how my skin looks,” she says. “I had to really internalize that and realize it’s true.”7. Lean into positive self-talk.Yuma Haidara, 33, has dealt with eczema on her face and the rest of her body since she was in high school. Haidara covered her body breakouts with clothes, but the eczema on her face was harder to hide.“I hated it. I had so much hyperpigmentation. I kept constantly scratching these bumps on my face, and there was no way to cover it up,” she tells SELF. “Back then there weren’t even shades of foundation dark enough for my skin tone. I hated people looking at me and just knew they were thinking, ‘What’s wrong with her face?’”Haidara, who created her own skinc are products when she couldn’t find anything that worked, has found positive mantras and self-talk to be extremely effective. She keeps a list of 10 positive affirmations on the home screen of her phone, regularly changing them to keep them fresh and relative to where she is in life. Each day of the week has a different affirmation, such as “‘I accept myself unconditionally.’”“No matter the kind of day I’m having, when the affirmation pops up, I stop and repeat it to myself until I no longer feel uncomfortable with saying that statement out loud,” Haidara says. “The words we speak to ourselves are so powerful, even when some days or weeks are harder than others to accept. But over the years, even on my worst days, [they help me to] know I’m beautiful, worthy, and deserving with all my imperfections, eczema included.”Related:

If you have painful skin symptoms that just won’t quit—you know, dryness that leads to obvious cracks, inflammation that just feels awful, or intense itchiness—and you’ve traveled down a rabbit hole via Dr. Google, then you’ve probably come across information on either eczema or psoriasis.These skin conditions are different and complex in unique ways, but their respective lists of symptoms can overlap quite a bit, making them difficult for the average person (read: anyone who’s not a trained dermatologist) to tell apart.If you think that suspicious rash could be a sign of eczema, psoriasis, or maybe even both, here’s some information to help you navigate what you’re experiencing, straight from dermatologists.First, a little bit about how psoriasis is defined.At its core, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, meaning it’s caused by a glitch in the immune system that causes the body to mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. Because of this immune malfunction, the body overproduces skin cells, which then accumulate and pile up on the skin’s surface, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).Plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the condition, causes raised lesions—often with a scaly appearance with a silver-to-gray plaque, depending on your skin tone—that can manifest anywhere on the body and feel itchy, tender, or even painful.There are various forms of psoriasis, so the symptoms can vary widely. But plaque psoriasis often appears on areas like the elbows, knees, trunk, and scalp, Esther Kim, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center, tells SELF. You may even start to feel pain in your joints: When inflammatory arthritis occurs alongside psoriasis, it’s called psoriatic arthritis, Dr. Kim says.Many people with psoriasis experience flare-ups, or periods of time when symptoms become more active. These flares can last anywhere from weeks to months, and there is a range of triggers that can set them off, from infections and illnesses to skin stressors (like cuts and scratches) to changes in weather and stress levels, per the AAD.Like other autoimmune conditions, the root causes of psoriasis aren’t well understood, but researchers believe that both environmental and genetic factors are at play, Dr. Kim says.…and here’s a little eczema 101.Eczema is an umbrella term for a group of skin conditions in which the skin barrier (the outermost protective layer) is damaged, leading to itchy, dry, and inflamed skin, per the AAD. Eczema is broadly referred to as atopic dermatitis, the most common form of the condition, but there are various types of eczema that have different triggers. An eczema rash can look and feel different from person to person but may include small raised bumps, dry or cracked skin, itchiness, and oozing or crusting, among other symptoms that generally signal irritation. “Intense itch is a hallmark of eczema,” Dr. Kim notes. “Because of the itch, patients often suffer from a persistent itch-scratch cycle that can lead to thickening of skin and scratches that render the skin prone to superficial skin infections.”

Here’s a little riddle for ya: What has more than 1.7 billion (yes, with a “b”) views on TikTok, plays a role in conditions ranging from acne to eczema, and is currently all the rage when it comes to skin care products? If you guessed the skin barrier—congratulations, you are correct.Unlike some other trending skin care topics, the skin barrier is a very real thing, and one that plays an integral role in healthy skin function, according to the experts SELF spoke with. We’ll get to the specifics in a moment, but the skin barrier is well, exactly what it sounds like—a protective layer that’s responsible for keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out.A variety of factors can take a toll on this skin shield of sorts—it’s why #skinbarrierrepair videos are also racking up millions and millions of views on TikTok and allegedly barrier-repairing products are all over the place. Here, top dermatologists explain exactly why you should care about the skin barrier and how to tell if yours needs a little extra TLC.What is your skin barrier, anyway?“In the simplest terms, it’s the skin’s protective layer,” Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, tells SELF. “Our skin is what protects our body, and the skin barrier is what protects the skin.” Technically speaking, this protective layer is called the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis.1To get a better sense of how the stratum corneum functions, it might be helpful to picture a brick wall: “The ‘bricks’ are cells called corneocytes, which are held together by the ‘mortar,’ a mix of lipids including fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides,” Robyn Gmyrek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New York City, tells SELF. This “brick wall” creates a barrier that prevents harmful bacteria, chemicals, irritants, and allergens from getting into the skin, while simultaneously locking in necessary hydration, Dr. Gmyrek explains.What kinds of things can affect the skin barrier?Really, the question should be what doesn’t affect it. A bunch of internal and external factors can damage or weaken the stratum corneum, according to the dermatologists we talked to. For example, some people are naturally deficient in filaggrin, a protein that strengthens the skin barrier, making them more predisposed to dryness and irritation, Dr. Gohara says.2 (More on other signs that your skin barrier isn’t in great shape in a sec.) Externally, many grooming and skin care routines can also change and damage it, such as using harsh soaps, over-exfoliating, taking extra-hot showers, and waxing, she adds. “Environmental factors can also weaken the skin barrier, including low humidity and dramatic temperature changes,” Naana Boakye, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Bergen Dermatology in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, tells SELF.3 All of the above can alter and deplete those aforementioned lipids, that “mortar” in between the cells. Essentially, that brick wall that was once solid can start to develop cracks and crevices.

Whether you’ve experienced it or know someone who has, chances are you’ve heard of eczema, a group of disorders that can cause painfully dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. That’s because eczema is extremely common—an estimated 10% of people in the US are impacted by some form of it.Those who have suffered through severe eczema know that living with the condition can go well beyond the physical side of things. Dealing with unrelenting eczema—the constant pain, the anger at your own body, the stress of trying treatment after treatment, and, ultimately, the stigma tied to visible skin symptoms—is often accompanied by an emotional burden that can trigger the development of anxiety and depression.1To shed light on what this can really feel like, SELF asked five people to share the emotional side of living with severe eczema—and how they’ve been able to relieve it on some level, even if they’re still working on finding a treatment plan that works for them.“When it was at its worst, it was incredibly hard for me to deal with the anxious feelings.”Pam Moore, 43, experienced severe eczema from when she was a toddler until she was in her 30s. If her eczema was acting up in places that were more visible, such as her upper lip, it made her feel a swirl of embarrassment and shame. (She hasn’t experienced an eczema flare in a while and partially credits moving to a cooler, drier climate.)“When it was at its worst, it was incredibly hard for me to deal with the anxious feelings it would bring up, wondering what other people thought, if it looked like something was really wrong with me, and if I just looked gross,” Moore tells SELF.The emotional stress Moore experienced as a result of her eczema symptoms also trickled into other aspects of her life, such as being physically active, which Moore, who is also a certified personal trainer, is especially passionate about.“Once I was driving to the trailhead to do my long run when I was training for a marathon in my 20s and was so excited to run in new, beautiful scenery. But I remember [feeling so anxious and] distracted because the eczema on the backs of my knees was itching so badly and the heat and the sweat were making it worse.”To help her get through the feelings of self-consciousness, Moore has tapped into coping tools she has learned in therapy over the years. “One thing I try to remember any time I’m self-conscious of anything related to my appearance is that whatever I’m worried about is absolutely not the most important thing about me,” she says. “I can have the thought ‘I wish X,Y,Z thing about my appearance were different and now I’m moving on’ or ‘I wish X,Y,Z thing about my appearance were different and I’m not focusing on that right now because I am so much more than that one thing about my appearance.’”“It’s never fun to rearrange my schedule at the last minute for this.”For Amy Gorin, 40, who was diagnosed with eczema as an infant, her severe eczema has made certain aspects of life that would normally be fun and carefree actually quite stressful.

Living with eczema means you’re very familiar with the challenges of having inflamed, itchy, dry skin. What you might not expect is the jarring stares and the self-conscious feelings that may pop up when you have a visible flare-up on your skin. Maybe you’ve even fielded your share of inappropriate questions, like, “Is eczema contagious?”Unfortunately, sometimes people do assume this skin condition is transmissible and act with that in mind, Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York City–based board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, tells SELF. “They see someone with a rash and stay away for fear that they will catch it,” he says.“This societal misconception is at least partially rooted in history,” Jeffrey M. Cohen, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, tells SELF. “Before doctors had the ability to tell the difference between contagious and non-contagious rashes, there was concern that touching a rash could result in the spread.”As it turns out, though, that’s completely unnecessary. Here’s what you should know.First, let’s dig into the basics of what eczema is.Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, has the capacity to make your skin itchy, inflamed, and basically as dry as the sands of hell. Common symptoms include thick, cracked, scaly skin and red or brownish-gray patches that can show up anywhere but are most likely to develop on your hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, and inside the bends of your elbows and knees, according to the Mayo Clinic. Eczema can also manifest as weepy little bumps that might get all crusty when you scratch them, and the scratching itself can leave you with raw, tender, swollen skin.If you have eczema, you might experience flare-ups of your symptoms sandwiched in between periods when your skin doesn’t bother you much. While eczema can be manageable, mainly through moisturizers to combat itching and drugs to fight inflammation and infections in open sores or cracked skin, there’s no cure for the condition.Because of the visible-to-everyone nature of eczema, living with it can be very stigmatizing, Matthew Lewis, MD, MPH, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Stanford Hospital and Clinics, tells SELF. “It can be embarrassing for people to be out in public with rashes on their skin that others mistake for a contagious infection, especially for younger people like kids and teenagers.”Back to topSo is eczema contagious or not?Though researchers don’t yet know all the reasons someone may develop eczema, they are certain it’s not contagious. Let’s just reiterate: “Spending time with or touching someone with eczema cannot give you eczema, and there is no way for the condition to spread from one person to another,” says Dr. Cohen.What they do know is there’s likely a genetic link, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. In an older study, researchers identified several altered genes which may change the way the skin or immune system functions in people with eczema.1 At its core, eczema comes down to a problem with a person’s skin barrier, which is meant to offer protection from outside threats like bacteria, irritants, and allergens, according to the Mayo Clinic. The skin’s loss of barrier function, which is essentially the “glue” of the skin, makes it more prone to dryness. And dry, weakened skin can cause the immune system to activate in a person with eczema, which can lead to inflammation when they are exposed to their unique triggers, says Dr. Lewis. That said, it’s important to also note that inflammation isn’t spreadable. “You can have skin that’s inflamed without truly being infected [by something contagious],” he says.