How to live with atopic dermatitis?

The difficulty of living with atopic dermatitis

In Western countries, atopic dermatitis affects up to 20% of children and 5% of adults. And this chronic condition doesn't just damage the skin: it's a daily battle, yet often invisible to those around.

Nights are often the hardest. Nearly 6 out of 10 patients sleep poorly (1) and this accumulated fatigue then has consequences on daily life, both for children suffering from it and for parents providing emotional support.

Atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents

In children, lack of sleep also comes with its share of consequences: irritability, fatigue, difficulties at school, temper tantrums... Parents, often at their wit's end, oscillate between guilt and emotional exhaustion.

But it's not just a skin issue! Atopic dermatitis also often stands between oneself and others. Due to fear of judgment or teasing at school, social isolation is observed among the youngest.

Finding more peaceful sleep despite itching

It's important to know that itching often worsens at night, and night awakenings are common. To improve bedtime comfort, here are some tips:

• Moisturize your skin at the end of the day: ideally just after showering, on slightly damp skin.

• Apply a cool cloth (or a warm compress) to itchy areas: cold calms the nerves responsible for itching.

• Keep a soothing stick handy: place it on your nightstand or in your pajama pocket. An SOS stick will quickly relieve itchy areas (face, eyelids, lips, body) to help you fall back asleep more easily.

• Wear soft pajamas: opt for cotton clothing, without seams. For your child, you can add cotton anti-scratch gloves for involuntary scratching.

• Establish a soothing ritual: dim lighting, temperature between 18 and 20 °C, reading or soft music.

Moving without aggravating symptoms: adapting sports to your skin

You hear it everywhere: exercising is good for your mood, sleep, and immunity. All things you might be lacking due to dermatitis! But with atopic skin, every drop of sweat can turn into an aggression for your skin. There's no question of giving up sports entirely: you can "simply" adjust your habits.

Tips for professional and daily life (especially hygiene)

Professional life

Do the symptoms interfere with your work? Don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. They can provide a medical certificate justifying modifications to your position, for example:

• not wearing an itchy uniform;

• reducing exposure to irritants;

• adapting the ambient temperature.

We also advise you to keep a small emergency kit within reach: a moisturizer, a sterile compress, an SOS stick for quick relief…

Hygiene

One shower per day is enough: prefer it quick and lukewarm, with a soap-free cleanser suitable for atopic skin. Forget scrubs, scented wipes, or excessively long baths: they weaken the skin barrier. And above all, moisturize morning and evening, without exception, even when the skin "feels better". It's precisely outside of flare-ups that you strengthen the skin and prevent future ones!

Clothing

Prefer natural materials (like cotton or linen) and loose fits. If you want to wear wool, always put a soft layer underneath. For laundry care, opt for a hypoallergenic detergent (fragrance-free) and forget fabric softeners: they leave irritating residues on clothing fibers.

What moisturizer can I use?

Our Sensitélial.AD range has been specially developed for atopic skin. It specifically targets the 4 key skin barriers thanks to an innovative active ingredient: [Pro-Vitamin D], which durably restores the protective function of the epidermis.

We recommend the Sensitélial AD range