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The contents of this website are not intended to be medical advice. Please see your healthcare
professional with any specific questions about your condition and / or treatment.

Employment and atopic dermatitis

For adults, the majority of our hours outside the home are spent at work, which can pose challenges for those with atopic dermatitis. However, aside from jobs that involve high exposure to irritants or chemicals, people with atopic dermatitis can thrive in employment. Here we have pulled together some advice and ideas to consider, to help integrate your atopic dermatitis into your work lifestyle.

Should I tell my employer about my atopic dermatitis?

There are changes that require the support and help of colleagues, especially around changes to the work environment, and any requests for greater flexibility.

The benefits to mentioning your atopic dermatitis are many, and there is no need to divulge more than you may wish. You can focus on the information you wish to share, and the implications to your work, along with any requests you may have. By communicating with colleagues and employers about your atopic dermatitis, you can help them to understand the condition and enable subsequent changes to be implemented.

On the other hand, it can be difficult to bring up and discuss your atopic dermatitis at work, and sometimes it may feel too personal to share. As a first step, you could consider sharing with a trusted colleague, or have a confidential conversation with the HR department. By having these private conversations it may help inform whether and how you share the information more broadly.

The charity, Changing Faces, has advice for those with visible differences, particularly around others reactions, which may be helpful at work: https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/advice-guidance/coping-with-peoples-reactions/

Employment

There are many tweaks or changes you can consider at work to improve your work environment or ways of working to enable easier integration. By discussing with your employer, you can look to optimise your working life to enable you to bring your best self to work. That said, many of the changes could be implemented without disclosing your atopic dermatitis to your employer if you did not feel comfortable with this, especially with an increase in flexible working options.

Work environment

Keep your workplace environment cool and well-ventilated, and use a humidifier as dry air can worsen your atopic dermatitis. Try to avoid exposure to dust, smoke, and strong odours, if needed, use an air purifier to reduce irritants in the air. It may be possible to request a workspace away from areas with high traffic or potential allergens, such as near open windows or industrial areas. In the washrooms you could ask that hypoallergenic soaps be provided, or you could consider bringing your own.

Try to keep comfortable whatever you are doing. If you work at a desk, ensure that your chair and desk setup are ergonomic and comfortable to avoid unnecessary stress or friction on your skin. Dress comfortably in soft breathable fabrics like cotton, and avoid rough, tight, or synthetic materials that can irritate the skin, and try to dress in easily adjusted layers of clothing to help adapt to the office climate without becoming either too hot or too cold.

If uniforms are required at work, discuss options with your employer to ensure that the provided uniform meets your needs.

Work schedule

As part of your daily schedule, there is the need to apply emollients on a regular basis, and times in the day will need to be set aside for this. Talk to your employer to explain these regular times away and to ensure an adequate private space is provided.

If you have very severe flare-ups, you may need to take time away from work. By discussing and explaining these up-front, your employer will be prepared and understanding when flare-ups occur. For those who have the option to work-from-home, it may be helpful at certain times to better enable you to control your environment, manage your atopic dermatitis, or limit exposure to triggers.

Anxiety and stress

Our work is an important aspect of our life, and can be a source of considerable stress, particularly around times of pressure, project deadlines, or presentations. Stress can be a trigger for atopic dermatitis flare-ups, so it is important to try and take regular breaks to manage your stress. Consider:

Mindfulness and meditation: Regular sessions can help manage overall stress and decrease the frequency of flare-ups
Deep breathing exercises: Simple deep breathing exercises can calm the nervous system and reduce stress quickly, which can be particularly helpful during a flare-up
Yoga and Tai Chi: These gentle forms of exercise combine movement, breathing, and meditation, helping to reduce stress and improve skin health
Set realistic expectations: Acknowledge that living with atopic dermatitis can be challenging, and it’s okay to feel stressed. Seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional if needed
Time management: Organise your tasks and take regular breaks during the day. Avoid overloading your schedule to minimise stress
See the section ‘Importance of emotional wellbeing’, for more detailed tips on these and other techniques to manage stress and anxiety.