Inflammatory skin conditions have severe impact on quality of life

Raconteur’s Skin and Dermatology Report has shined a light on the link between inflammatory skin conditions and happiness. 

Research collated from sources including the Happiness Research Institute, Galderma and the British Medical Journal, Eczema Society of Canada and the British Journal of Dermatology, shows the extent of the impact a skin condition can have on patient’s mental health and quality of life. 

Sufferers of severe psoriasis were found to have a happiness level three points below the UK average (4.2 compared to 7.2) by the Happiness Research Institute in 2018, while 73% reported high stress and 40% said they dealt with loneliness. 

44% said they had missed five or more hours of social time due to their condition, while 11% had missed over 20 hours of work.

Rosacea patients were assessed on the impact of the skin condition on their quality of life in research by Galderma and the British Medical Journal in 2018. 

33% said they avoid alcohol consumption, 24% steer clear of hot climates and 17% sit out on social activities. 

Similarly, the Eczema Society of Canada asked respondents if their atopic dermatitis has interrupted their life in the past two years (the research was conducted in 2016/17). 

79% answered to interrupted or loss of sleep, 64% said it gives them anxiety, 48% avoid social activities, 44% reported depression and 40% said they avoid intimacy because of their skin condition. 

Meanwhile 44% of acne patients were found to suffer from at least one mental health condition, compared to 20% of those without acne, according to the British Journal of Dermatology. 

We asked Medik8's director of research about how vitamin A helps acne skins.