On this World Atopic Dermatitis (or Eczema) Day, a survey reveals that one in two French people are self-conscious about their skin.
- Nearly one in two French people admit to being self-conscious about their skin (45%).
- 73% of French people find it difficult to access care provided by dermatologists.
- Nearly half of patients (46%) have given up on having their skin problems treated by a specialist.
On the occasion of the global day of mobilization for people with eczema (or “atopic dermatitis”) this September 14, Sanofi unveils the results of a new study carried out with the IFOP on “The French face skin diseases”.
Eczema causes complexes
In France, according to the French Society of Dermatology, more than a third of individuals aged 15 are affected by a skin disease. A real “scourge” which affects all categories of the population.
“This large-scale investigation highlights the psychological suffering that skin diseases can generate, sources of complexes which limit the social life of the people concerned, often victims of mockery at school and at work”, explain the authors of the survey.
Thus, almost one in two French people admit to being self-conscious about their skin (45%). 45% of women and up to 80% of people suffering from severe atopic dermatitis have already refused to post photos on social networks because of the negative outlook on their skin.
67% of people with severe eczema also suffer from intense anxiety, and 73% have experienced being teased while at school. Furthermore, more than a third of people with atopic dermatitis have already given up playing sports so as not to show their skin.
Skin diseases: difficult access to care
“The study also highlights the difficulties encountered by patients in seeking treatment, a trend that has been increasing sharply over the past 12 years, due to the length of time it takes to obtain an appointment,” can we read in the report.
73% of French people consider it difficult to access care provided by dermatologists, this trend having increased considerably in 12 years (+27 points since 2011). In fact, it takes on average more than 3 months to obtain an appointment with these health professionals (104 days in 2023 compared to 41 days in 2012).
“As a result, almost half of patients (46%) have given up on having their skin problems treated by a specialist, a figure which rises to 90% among people with severe eczema,” concludes the investigation.
