STEP 1
Understand the impact of your eczema
Although atopic dermatitis has clear physical symptoms, such as dry skin, it also has an invisible impact. Eczema could affect your life in many other indirect ways, including:
Impacting your sleep pattern
Causing difficulty in regular activities, such as doing the dishes or tidying up
Affecting concentration levels
Making you feel self-conscious or anxious
So, it's important that both you and your doctor get a deeper understanding of the ways eczema impacts your daily life.
We’ve put together a list of questions to help you uncover the effect of atopic dermatitis across various aspects of day-to-day life.
Explore now: AD impact analyzer
It's normal if you've learnt to adjust and cope with atopic dermatitis or eczema. But you shouldn't have to, especially when options are available.
Use this intuitive questionnaire to find out how you can assess the invisible impact on your daily life.
Your dermatology care team
A variety of healthcare professionals can offer different types of support in your search for management options that are right for you. It’s valuable to know how these healthcare professionals differ and how you can access them.
GP or Multidisciplinary Care Services
- Often your GP is your first point of contact. Initially, they will perform an evaluation of your symptoms, consider factors such as your medical history and give you a diagnosis
- Depending on the severity of your eczema your GP may think you need more specialist care, because dermatologists have access to a wider range of eczema management options. Ask your GP if a referral to a dermatologist might be right for you
Dermatologist
- A dermatologist is a doctor who specialises in the treatment of skin conditions
- Dermatologists may provide more detail into your diagnosis or discuss additional management options.
- Although dermatologists may not change your treatment regimen straight away, they may provide you with information on options to explore in the future
- Usually, you can only speak to a dermatologist after a referral from a GP. If you feel like you could benefit from speaking with a dermatologist, talk to your GP about getting a referral. Watch this video to find out more.
Dermatology Specialist Nurse
- A dermatology specialist nurse is a nurse who specialises in the treatment of skin conditions and will work alongside your dermatologist to support you in the management of your eczema
- You may have more contact with your specialist nurse than other members of your care team and they will likely work with you to understand the impact of your eczema on your life.
- Your specialist nurse may help you understand the management options available and how to use them correctly.
Allergist
- Allergists are a type of doctor that specialises in allergies and the immune system, they are often involved in treating and managing food allergies and contact allergies
- There are allergens that may aggravate eczema flares. These can include pollen, pet dander and skin irritants like soap and fabric detergents. An allergist can help you navigate the way hay fever or other allergies may affect skin conditions.
Start a conversation about eczema
We have put together three easy steps that can help you kick-start an essential conversation about eczema with your doctor. content/abbvie-lets-talk-eczema-ous/gb/en/all-about-eczema.html
This is the first step towards beginning a new conversation about eczema with your doctor. It’s followed by:
Explore the three steps and find out why having a new conversation could be worthwhile for you.
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Date of preparation: September 2023, UK-IMM-230189.