Study finds higher risk of suicidal thoughts among adults with atopic eczema

New research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology Congress in Paris found adults with atopic eczema are significantly more likely to report suicidal thoughts than those without the condition.

The international study assessed more than 30,800 adults across 27 countries and included over 15,200 people with atopic eczema and 7,968 controls. Participants completed a questionnaire recording symptom severity, experiences of skin-related stigmatisation, sleep problems and whether they had ever experienced suicidal ideation.

Overall, just over 13 percent of adults with atopic eczema reported suicidal ideation compared with 8.5 percent of adults without the condition. The increased prevalence of suicidal thoughts among people with atopic eczema was observed regardless of whether the condition began in childhood, adolescence or adulthood.

Researchers identified several factors associated with higher risk. Younger adults, particularly those under 30, were more likely to report suicidal thoughts, and individuals with obesity had a greater likelihood of ideation. Clinically, moderate to severe eczema was linked to elevated risk, as were persistent sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling and staying asleep (described in the study as mixed insomnia) and higher levels of perceived stigmatisation.

"The results highlight that the effects of atopic eczema are more than skin deep, with suicidal thoughts representing a serious and frequent concern that is often overlooked by healthcare professionals," said Dr. Delphine Kerob, a dermatologist and contributing lead author. "By identifying the main risk factors behind suicidal ideation in this population, we hope this study will help healthcare professionals better recognise and address these challenges, supporting patients' overall well-being more effectively."

Dermatologists have increasingly pointed to the broader psychosocial burden of atopic eczema, which can include anxiety, depression, bullying and impaired sleep due to intense itching. Professor Tony Bewley, a consultant dermatologist at Barts Health NHS Trust in London, said the condition's impact on patients and families is often underestimated.

"Both adults and children frequently face stigmatisation, loss of confidence and bullying, sleep deprivation and overwhelming itch, which may impact their performance at school and work," Prof. Bewley said. "In severe atopic dermatitis, patients often suffer from depression, anxiety and even suicidal ideation."

Treatment approaches for atopic eczema vary by severity. Most cases are initially managed with prescription washes and topical steroid creams to reduce swelling and redness. More severe disease may be treated with systemic immunosuppressant drugs, which can carry risks to immunity and liver function. The study's authors and independent clinicians highlighted the importance of recognising mental-health needs alongside physical treatment.

In England, the NHS recently made the monoclonal antibody lebrikizumab available as a new treatment option for people with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis; the drug targets a protein involved in inflammation and has been described by some clinicians as a meaningful addition to therapeutic options.

The study's authors noted that millions of people are affected by moderate to severe eczema in the United Kingdom: they cited estimates of more than 5.2 million adults and 2.5 million children living with the condition. The findings underscore calls from clinicians for routine assessment of mental-health symptoms in people with atopic eczema and for integrated care approaches that address both skin disease and psychological well-being.

The researchers said further work is needed to clarify causal pathways and to develop targeted interventions for those identified as high risk. In the meantime, they urged health professionals to consider questions about mood, sleep and stigma when treating patients with atopic eczema.