PHILADELPHIA — November 7, 2019 — A new syndicated research study from Health Union, Atopic Dermatitis In America 2019, finds that people who begin experiencing atopic dermatitis symptoms as children have vastly different patient journeys and experiences, from those who began experiencing symptoms as adults. The survey illuminates the perspectives and experiences of people impacted by atopic dermatitis.

Of the survey’s 400 respondents, there was a nearly 50-50 split between the respondents who began experiencing symptoms prior to adulthood (before they turned 18) and those who started experiencing symptoms as adults (after turning 18).

Respondents who started experiencing symptoms before age 18 have been living with the condition for a long time – 84% of respondents stated they were diagnosed more than 10 years ago. On the other hand, three-quarters of respondents who started experiencing symptoms in their adult years have been diagnosed for less than 10 years.

The age at which people with atopic dermatitis first experience symptoms appears to be related to the volume of symptoms they experience. Those who experienced symptoms prior to age 18 were more likely to have recently dealt with accentuated skin lines, skin cracks, cracks behind the ears, eye symptoms, hives and bumps or patches that bubble up and weep fluid. They are also impacted by atopic dermatitis symptoms on various parts of their body, including on or around their ears, eyes, mouth, neck, shoulders, hands and skin folds. 

Those who experienced symptoms prior to adulthood reported having more than half of their body covered, whereas those who developed symptoms as adults were more likely to report less than 5% of their body covered.

Individuals who were symptomatic before turning 18 were more likely to say they also experience a number of related conditions in conjunction with their atopic dermatitis. These include allergic contact dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergies, skin infection, eye problems and anxiety or depression.

Respondents who began experiencing symptoms as adults go through a range of concerns as they seek care and treatment for their atopic dermatitis. These respondents were more likely to not agree with their healthcare professionals on the severity of their condition and more likely to say they don’t feel their atopic dermatitis is under control with their current treatment plan.

Additionally, female respondents who started experiencing symptoms after they turned 18 were more likely than those who started experiencing them before to say their atopic dermatitis symptoms worsened after a number of life events, including pregnancy, during and after menopause and after undergoing a hysterectomy.

“Atopic Dermatitis In America 2019 shows the importance of understanding that a condition can surface at different times in people’s lives, greatly impacting the patient journey,” said Olivier Chateau, co-founder and CEO of Health Union. “It also drives home the need for an online health community that can provide information, connection and support for people with atopic dermatitis, who often have vastly different experiences.”

Atopic Dermatitis In America 2019 surveyed 400 people impacted by atopic dermatitis from March 13 to July 23, 2019. A summary infographic of the results is available on AtopicDermatitis.net; additional survey results may be available upon request.

About Health Union

Health Union encourages social interactions that evolve into valuable online health conversations, helping people with chronic conditions find the information, connection, and validation they seek. The company creates condition-specific online communities – publishing original, daily content and continuously cultivating social conversation – to support, educate and connect millions of people with challenging, chronic health concerns. Today, the Health Union family of brands includes 24 online health communities, including LungCancer.net, ParkinsonsDisease.net, MultipleSclerosis.net and Type2Diabetes.com.