Survey Reveals Gaps in Long-Term Care for Eczema, Psoriasis and Seborrheic Dermatitis

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A new nationwide survey reveals widespread concern, frustration and emotional burden among adults and parents of children living with chronic inflammatory skin conditions, including plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and seborrheic dermatitis, particularly around the use of topical steroids and the lack of long-term treatment strategies.

“These survey findings highlight the real-world challenges adults and parents of children with these conditions face in managing chronic skin diseases and reinforce the need for treatment options that go beyond cyclical care and deliver effective, sustained relief — underscoring the urgent need to redefine what standard of care should look like,” said Patrick Burnett, MD, PhD, FAAD, chief medical officer at Arcutis.

The survey, conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Arcutis Biotherapeutics in collaboration with patient advocacy organizations, included 1,000 adults and 500 parents of children who have been prescribed topical steroids. Results show that uncontrolled disease remains common, with 72% of adults and 80% of children experiencing flare-ups at least once a month, and some reporting symptoms as often as daily.

Nearly 8 in 10 respondents said their or their child’s treatment plan is primarily focused on reacting to flares once they happen rather than preventing them through proactive, long-term disease management. This reactive approach contributes to an ongoing “cycle of flares” that extends far beyond physical symptoms.

“This survey highlights an important trend: most treatment plans still focus on a reactive approach focused on taming flares, instead of a proactive, long-term disease management strategy to prevent flares,” said Leah M. Howard, JD, president and chief executive officer of the National Psoriasis Foundation. “What’s more, these results demonstrate that even when symptoms are well controlled, many adults and children live with an undercurrent of worry in anticipation of the inevitable next flare. This persistent emotional strain is part of the hidden burden of chronic skin diseases.”

Concerns about topical steroids are widespread. Nearly 9 in 10 adults and parents reported worrying about at least one short- or long-term side effect, most commonly skin thinning, skin lightening (hypopigmentation) and acne. Despite these fears, almost half of respondents said they feel hesitant to raise concerns with their healthcare provider about long-term steroid use, highlighting a communication gap between patients, caregivers and clinicians.

The impact of uncontrolled disease is profound. When symptoms are not well managed, most adults and children experience daily discomfort, frustration, embarrassment, anxiety and difficulty participating in social activities. Many avoid school, social gatherings, sports, or even meeting friends. Mental health challenges are also common: 40% of adults and parents said they sought alternative treatments due to anxiety or depression related to the condition, while more than a third sought other options because of side effects.

Importantly, emotional distress often persists even when symptoms appear controlled. Nearly two-thirds of adults and parents reported ongoing self-consciousness about scarring or visible signs from previous flares, along with anxiety about when the condition might worsen again. Only about 1 in 5 respondents felt fully confident in their ability to keep symptoms under control using current treatment plans.

For the millions of Americans living with these chronic skin conditions, the findings underscore a clear need for better education, improved patient–provider communication and treatment approaches that prioritize long-term disease control, not just short-term flare suppression.

“This research confirms and builds on a growing body of data indicating the marked social, mental and emotional burden experienced by adults and children with skin conditions like eczema and seborrheic dermatitis,” concluded Wendy Smith Begolka, MBS, chief program and mission officer of the National Eczema Association. “The combined effect of missing school, avoiding friend, and missing sports could have long-term social consequences and emphasizes the need for treatment plans that focus on proactive disease management as a long-term solution.”