A new international analysis published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology is highlighting the long-term consequences of atopic dermatitis beyond its physical symptoms, suggesting the disease may shape educational, professional, and social outcomes long after skin lesions have resolved.1,2
In an interview with HCPLive, Delphine Kerob, MD, dermatologist at Saint Louis Hospital in Paris and Scientific Director at La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, discussed the findings and their implications for clinicians caring for children with atopic dermatitis, a common form of eczema.
The multinational cross-sectional study analyzed data from more than 22,000 individuals across 27 countries and found that patients with childhood-onset atopic dermatitis reported significantly greater limitations in educational and career choices than those whose disease began later in life. Among childhood-onset patients, more than one-third reported restricted study choices and career limitations, while many also described adapting their living or working environments because of their disease. The study additionally identified higher rates of social avoidance and persistent workplace challenges, even among individuals whose disease had resolved.
For Kerob, the findings reinforce the idea that atopic dermatitis can leave lasting “invisible scars” despite the absence of permanent physical scarring.
“I think that what the big [lesson] of this study is is that even though atopic dermatitis doesn't lead to visible scars, it can leave an invisible print,” Kerob said. She noted that the burden linked with childhood atopic dermatitis may persist throughout a patient’s life, regardless of whether the disease eventually resolves.
According to Kerob, the study underscores the need for clinicians to evaluate atopic dermatitis more broadly than as a skin disease alone. She pointed to several factors that may contribute to the long-term impact observed among patients, including sleep disruption from chronic itch, difficulties with concentration, anxiety, attention disorders, and social stigmatization associated with visible skin lesions. Children may also face bullying or exclusion at school, experiences that can compound the disease burden and influence future life trajectories.
Kerob suggested that these overlapping challenges may help explain why patients with childhood-onset disease reported greater educational and occupational limitations later in life. Beyond the visible manifestations of atopic dermatitis, she emphasized the uncertainty associated with a chronic relapsing condition, noting that patients often do not know when flares will occur or whether their disease will ultimately resolve. Persistent symptoms, ongoing treatment needs, and undertreated inflammation may all contribute to feelings of being different from peers without atopic dermatitis.
Ultimately, Kerob said the findings should encourage dermatologists to take a more comprehensive approach to pediatric disease management. While many children will see their disease improve with age, she argued that clinicians should proactively assess psychosocial burden, school experiences, sleep quality, and comorbid conditions alongside traditional measures of disease severity. By recognizing these broader impacts early, providers may be better positioned to reduce the lifelong consequences associated with atopic dermatitis.
Disclosures: Delphine Kerob is a full-time employee of La Roche Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique and has been employed by Laboratoires Vichy, France, and L’Oreal.
References
Scars of life: study shows impact of atopic dermatitis on educational and career choices. EurekAlert! May 28, 2026. Accessed June 2, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1129244?.
Stratigos A, Steinhoff M, Luger T, et al. Impact of atopic dermatitis on education and career choices: the Scars of Life international study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. May 28, 2026. Accessed June 2, 2026. https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(26)01041-9/fulltext.
