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Growing up and moving through adolescence into an adult is a difficult time for most, and almost everyone feels uncomfortable in their own skin at some point along the way. For many with atopic dermatitis, this feeling can be pervasive, and add extra stress onto what is already a stressful time of life. Though atopic dermatitis usually improves during adolescence, this is not the case for many. Coping with the condition while integrating it into your studies and social life can be a tricky task.
With life being so busy, taking the time to manage your atopic dermatitis may feel like an additional chore, try to keep it simple and bear the following core principles in mind:
Make skin care your non-negotiable, as this underpins all other aspects of atopic dermatitis management. Though it may feel time consuming, investing the time to regularly apply emollients will pay back dividends by helping to prevent flare-ups and keeping your condition under control, allowing more time and comfort for enjoying life.
In a busy life of studies and activities, keeping track of your main triggers (try jotting them down and carrying a list with you), can allow you to mentally check new environments and activities against your list, helping you to manage exposure or prepare for the situation.
Though your atopic dermatitis can feel like a barrier and a burden, don’t let it stop you doing what you love.
Take time to find activities you enjoy that do not trigger your condition, or work with those around you to develop a plan for difficult activities, to limit exposure to allergens, and protect your skin, allowing you to keep living your life.
There are plenty of ways you can manage your atopic dermatitis at school on your own, but some changes might require a little support from others, especially when it comes to adjusting your school environment or asking for more flexibility.
It can be really helpful to mention your condition, and you don't have to share more than you're comfortable with. You can focus on what’s important for your studies and any specific requests you have. By talking to teachers and other students, you give them a better understanding of your situation, which can make it easier for them to help.
That said, it can be hard to open up about atopic dermatitis, especially if it feels too personal. If you’re unsure about bringing it up, you might want to start by talking to someone you trust, like a school counsellor or a close friend. These private conversations can help you figure out if, and how, you want to share the information more broadly.
The charity Changing Faces has advice for those with visible differences, particularly around others reactions, which may be helpful in school: https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/advice-guidance/coping-with-peoples-reactions/
For adolescents and young adults with atopic dermatitis, there are several steps that can be taken to help manage their condition and minimise its impact on their school and university studies. Effective management involves a combination of treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and psychological support. Here are a few tips on how adolescents and young adults can manage their atopic dermatitis to limit the impact on their studies:
Establish a daily skincare routine that includes moisturising regularly to keep the skin hydrated and reduce the risk of flare-ups. Use gentle, fragrance-free products to avoid irritation. Try writing down your routine, alongside your study times, and try to integrate the two, so that you can maintain the regularity of emollient applications around lessons, lectures, or study sessions.
Sleeping well makes a huge difference to one’s ability to focus and to remember information. Have a look at the section ‘sleep and atopic dermatitis’ for tips on how to develop a bedtime routine and improve your sleep.
Through high school and university, it is not always easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but by focusing on key components such as sleep (above), diet, and exercise, you will help manage your atopic dermatitis and give yourself the best opportunity to excel at, and enjoy, your studies.
Choose comfortable, loose-fitting, soft, and breathable clothing, preferably made from natural fibres such as cotton, to avoid irritation. Avoid tight clothing and fabrics that might cause itching, which could potentially worsen your atopic dermatitis and make concentrating much more difficult.
If your school requires a uniform, look for options in cotton, and raise this with the school if none are available.
Engage with supportive friends or join groups where others understand and share similar experiences. Peer support can reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of community. Atopic dermatitis can affect self-esteem and mental health, if this affects you, consider speaking with a counsellor or psychologist to develop strategies to manage these feelings.
Time management is important for every student, but those with atopic dermatitis have additional complications through the need to plan study schedules around treatment routines, ensuring there’s time allocated for skincare and rest. Develop a study schedule to help you stay on top of projects, prioritise essential assignments, and break down tasks into manageable parts to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Consider informing your teachers and professors/tutors so they can provide necessary support, such as understanding the need for breaks, extensions on assignments during flare-ups, or adjustments to physical activities that might trigger symptoms. If necessary, request accommodations such as a more comfortable seating arrangement, permission to wear appropriate clothing, or access to healthcare facilities.
Our studies are important aspects of our lives, and can be sources of considerable stress, particularly around exam time. Stress can be a trigger for atopic dermatitis flare-ups, so it important to try and take regular breaks to manage your stress. Consider: