2023-12-01 09:00:29
In France, 2.5 million people live with eczema, a skin pathology. The health benefits of sport are no longer in doubt. But how to reconcile sport and eczema? The French Eczema Association has just published the results of a survey on the sporting practices of patients with eczema. Results.
Eczema and sport
Eczema manifests itself by intense itching and the appearance of red patches on the skin. There are three main forms of eczema:
- Atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis which is a chronic skin disease associated with a genetic abnormality of the skin barrier;
- Contact eczema which follows contact of the skin with an allergenic substance;
- Chronic hand eczema.
With such symptoms, sometimes chronic, is it possible to play sports? Should we take special precautions, particularly in the event of an eczema flare-up? Are there certain sports to avoid? To find out more regarding practicing sports activities in people with eczema, the French Eczema Association conducted an online survey of 207 people, with an average age of 29.3 years, in September 2023. Among the participants, 82.6% were women.
Sport can increase the symptoms of eczema
The investigation reveals that 85.5% of people with eczema practice regular physical activity. This figure is significantly higher than the average observed in the French population (60% according to a survey carried out in 2022). However, eczema can have consequences on sports practice, since 70.8% of participants in the survey declared that they were prohibited from doing certain sports because of their skin disease. 62% consider that eczema slows down their desire to play sports. The reasons given by the participants are:
- An increase in eczema symptomssuch as itching or burning sensations on the skin;
- Stigmawith the fear of the gaze of others.
Practicing physical activity can in fact accentuate certain symptoms of eczema, due to theincreased body temperaturefrom dilation of blood vessels or even the sweat production. Thus, 87.5% of participants indicate itchy skin following sports practice, in different places of the body:
- At the level of the folds of the arms;
- On the face ;
- At the level of the scalp;
- At the creases of the legs.
In these same places, 64.6% feel burning sensations.
The benefits of sport, sometimes limited by stigma
Despite these unpleasant effects of physical activity, eczema patients experience the benefits of sport. 83% of them feel the effects on their psychological well-being and nearly 65% on their physical well-being. The majority of them have better sleep by practicing a sporting activity. For eczema specialists, practicing sport is beneficial for people with eczema even if this practice can accentuate their symptoms, particularly in the event of flare-ups. It is also not recommended to do sports during strong outbreaks. Apart from flare-ups, sport is beneficial for physical health but also for reducing anxiety.
Some tips can help to best reconcile sport and eczema :
- Hydrate well before, during and following physical exercise;
- Choose a suitable physical activity;
- Limit the rise in body temperature if possible;
- Wear loose clothing;
- Apply emollients to moisturize the skin before and following exercise;
- Take a lukewarm shower following exercise;
- Avoid sport in case of high heat.
One of the main obstacles to practicing sport is stigmatization and fear of being looked at by others. One in three patients say they have observed negative looks towards them, one in five inappropriate remarks and one in six mockery. One in three patients do not feel comfortable in the changing rooms. These figures reveal the impact of stigma on sports practice and the need to better inform the general public regarding eczema.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
1701486107
#Eczema #sport #easy #reconcile
