Researchers are recruiting participants to shed light on the effects that are more than just skin deep.
Flinders University is recruiting participants to explore the emotional and psychological impacts of chronic skin conditions.
The study aims to understand how these conditions affect body image and how people can maintain a positive relationship with their body and build resilience in the face of ongoing, long-term, and visible symptoms.
The researchers are recruiting adults living with conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, vitiligo, rosacea, and chronic urticaria, to complete an online survey. This includes people whose conditions are currently in remission.
Flinders University body image expert Professor Ivanka Prichard told media that understanding the psychological impact of skin conditions was an important step towards improving support for people living with them.
“Body image affects people from all walks of life. By identifying the factors that help protect it, we can improve support and help more people feel comfortable and confident in their bodies,” she said.
Previous research has found that those living with chronic skin conditions are at greater risk of body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression, lower self-esteem, and reduced quality of life, the researchers noted.
These conditions are common; eczema alone affects around a third of Australians, and as many as one in five children live with atopic eczema. While the physical symptoms are well understood, the deeper impacts are often less so.
The survey is being conducted by Lauren Conboy, a Master of Clinical Psychology student at Flinders University who was diagnosed last year with chronic spontaneous urticaria, which causes histamine release without any obvious triggers.
“It started with hives and facial swelling that seemed to appear without warning – and almost overnight, my appearance changed drastically and in a way that I had very little control over until I was able to take biologic medications,” she told media.
“I had friends, family and even strangers commenting on my skin and the way I looked. Someone asked whether I had foot and mouth disease. It was confronting because it brought home how noticeable my condition was, and how visible changes in the skin can shape the way other people perceive and respond to you.
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“The experience is not only about how the skin looks, but also how it feels, how unpredictable it can be, how other people respond to it, and what meaning a person begins to attach to those experiences.
“At times, I found myself trying to conceal my symptoms and worrying people might think my condition was contagious. That experience made me aware of a particular kind of isolation that can come with having a visible skin condition.”
She explained that some people seemed better able to protect their personal body image despite significant changes in their appearance.
“We want to better understand what supports that resilience, whether it is self-compassion, body appreciation, support from others or other protective factors,” she said.
“Ultimately, we hope this research will help us better understand what supports people with chronic skin conditions to maintain a positive and accepting relationship with their bodies.”
The survey can be accessed here, and questions can be directed via email to conb0005@flinders.edu.au.
