5 Daily Habits to Help You Manage Atopic Dermatitis

"Emotional distress related to atopic dermatitis can be common, and may show up in small and big ways," says Mona Foad, MD, a dermatologist and the founder of MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati. "You may have increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety or embarrassment about rashes or flares."

It can help to find strategies that help you feel more in control. These small, daily habits are just as essential for self-care as nourishing your skin, Dr. Foad says. These practices don't replace conventional medical care, but they can boost your emotional well-being when you're navigating AD and its effects. Here are five to consider.

1. Gentle Movement

2. Deep Breathing

Either paired with gentle movement or done as its own practice, deep breathing can be effective at reducing stress, which is an important part of managing AD, says Tanya Evans, MD, a dermatologist at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California.

"Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that increases systemic inflammation and weakens the skin barrier," she says. "That can worsen AD flare-ups and perpetuate a cycle of scratching and lesions. Because of that, finding ways to mitigate stress every day is important."

3. A Bedtime Routine

4. Journaling

Taking about 10 to 15 minutes each day to write down your thoughts and feelings can be another helpful way to reduce stress, and to recognize the impact that AD may be having on your emotional health.

5. Healthy Snacking

Another daily habit that can be meaningful is to choose meals and snacks that feel nourishing and supportive of good health.

"Anti-inflammatory eating choices, such as a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce flares and severity in some people with atopic dermatitis," says Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City.

How to Build Habits That Stick

When incorporating new habits as a way to feel more in control of your AD, it's helpful to focus on strategies that don't feel like you're burdening yourself with more responsibilities, says Foad. These habits should feel like they alleviate stress, not add to it.

For that, consider bringing in one new habit for a few weeks to see if it's a good fit, such as five minutes of deep breathing every morning. After that, you could add gentle movement like restorative yoga to your breathing practice. The point is to see what works best for you and build on that, while noticing how it may be boosting your emotional well-being.

The Takeaway

• Managing atopic dermatitis will typically require using medication, but helpful daily habits can complement your treatment plan by helping lower stress and allowing you to feel more in control.
• Healthy habits for atopic dermatitis focus on reducing stress and lowering inflammation, which may reduce the intensity and frequency of symptoms.
• To find what works best for you, play around with different options to find the ones that seem like a good fit.