A LARGE international study has found that atopic dermatitis (AD) beginning in childhood may have lasting effects on educational attainment, career choices, and psychosocial wellbeing, even after symptoms resolve.
The cross-sectional “Scars of Life” study included 22,833 adults with physician-diagnosed AD from 27 countries across five continents. Researchers examined how age at disease onset and persistence influenced educational and occupational outcomes.
Early Atopic Dermatitis Onset Tied to Greater Social Impact
Participants were divided into five groups: childhood-onset persistent AD, childhood-onset resolved AD, adolescent-onset persistent AD, adolescent-onset resolved AD, and adult-onset AD. Across all measures, individuals with childhood-onset persistent disease reported the greatest impact.
Among this group, 36.6% said AD had limited their study choices, 37.3% reported an effect on study duration, and 38.3% stated that the condition had restricted career opportunities. More than one-third (35.5%) also reported experiencing discrimination related to their disease.
The burden appeared substantially lower among individuals with adolescent-onset persistent AD, with approximately one-quarter reporting educational or career limitations. However, researchers noted that even patients whose childhood AD had resolved continued to report greater psychosocial and occupational effects than those with adult-onset disease.
Compared with adults who developed AD later in life, individuals with resolved childhood-onset disease were more likely to report career limitations, avoidance of public-facing work, and perceived discrimination. The authors suggested that these findings point to enduring “invisible scars” associated with early-life AD, potentially linked to disrupted sleep, psychological stress, and neurocognitive effects during key developmental periods.
Disease severity likely contributed to some differences observed, as childhood-onset persistent AD was associated with higher rates of moderate-to-severe disease. Nevertheless, the continued impact among patients with resolved childhood disease suggests that early onset itself may independently shape long-term educational and professional trajectories.
Researchers Identify Global Disparities in AD Burden
Marked regional differences were also identified. India reported the highest levels of educational and occupational impact, while Europe and Australasia showed the lowest rates. Researchers suggested these disparities may reflect variations in healthcare access, disease awareness, and socioeconomic conditions.
The authors concluded that early multidisciplinary intervention, including psychological and educational support, may help reduce the long-term burden of childhood-onset AD.
Reference
Stratigos A et al. Impact of atopic dermatitis on education and career choices: the Scars of Life international study. JID. 2026; DOI:10.1016/j.jid.2026.03.037.
Featured image: Sergey Nivens on Adobe Stock
