WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND, 25 June 2024
New Zealanders with eczema are caught in a relentless pursuit of relief from the life restricting physical symptoms,
leading to frustration and a diminished quality of life, a new survey has found. The survey of 517 adults with eczema
and 98 parents and carers is the largest survey on the lived experience of New Zealanders. The survey was commissioned
by the Eczema Association of New Zealand and AbbVie.
The physical symptoms of eczema like itchiness, raw, sensitive skin causing pain, discomfort and loss of sleep have a
debilitating effect, with 51% of adults reporting that eczema has a moderate to-significant negative impact on their
day-to-day life.1
Almost all adult respondents (97%) cited the negative mental health impact of eczema, with almost half (46%) reporting
it to be significant or very significant. Low self-esteem (79%), stress (68%) and anxiety (59%) were common challenges
experienced by adults.1
Eczema Association of New Zealand spokesperson Vanessa Jenkins said she hoped these findings would prompt a wider level of public understanding, and compassion, for eczema patients.
“Eczema is often described as a hidden disease. But it has a very real physical, emotional, economic, and social toll on
patients and their families.
“These data reveal the daily struggle for tens of thousands of Kiwis suffering from eczema. It’s a life characterised by
pain, sleepless nights, personal and social anxiety, a deep sense of helplessness and loss-of-confidence from never
being on top of the condition.”
Of those surveyed, 70% report their or their loved one’s eczema is not fully manageable or under control and this
increases to 79% for adults with moderate-to-severe eczema. Three quarters of adults surveyed say they are not able to
bring an eczema flare-up under control with available
treatments. On average patients try at least five different treatment options, and one in five people have tried more
than 20 different treatments.1
“Eczema patients face a depressing cycle of hope and despair. Hope with the initial promise of a new treatment, followed
by despair when it stops working. It’s a cycle repeated many times over for New Zealanders with eczema,” Ms Jenkins
added.
The survey found that 62% feel a sense of hopelessness given the number of treatments tried and doctors seen, while 84%
feel frustrated by their inability to find an effective, long-term treatment.1
Dr Scott Barker, Dermatologist, NZ Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centre said, “Once contact allergic dermatitis and specific alternative diagnoses have been excluded, then as there is no cure
for eczema, the main goals in managing the disease are to reduce itch, minimise rash, and limit the impact on quality of
life.”
Eczema is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease.2In New Zealand approximately 212,000 adults and 193,000
children live with this recurring and non-contagious skin condition.3,4 About 20-40% of children diagnosed with eczema
will continue to be affected as adults and live with the condition for most of their life. It is also more prevalent
among Māori and Pasifika children compared with European/Pākehā children.5
More than half of the adult respondents (55%) have lived with eczema for more than 20 years. Seventy per cent said their
eczema has a negative impact on relationships with friends while 62% reported negative impact on relationships with
their spouse or partner.1
Eczema impacts people’s ability to participate in employment and is associated with sick leave, changing jobs, and
receiving benefits or pensions.6 The symptoms people experience can impact the use of their body that may be required
for certain occupations, while the loss of sleep at night can make it difficult to concentrate at work.7 Four in five
(80%) adults said eczema has a negative impact on their ability to work, and 68% felt it impacts their ability to fulfil
work and career ambitions.1
Bronwen Marshall, Country Head of AbbVie New Zealand said “This survey shows the impact of eczema on a patient’s quality of life, and their families, is profound and life
changing.
“When you consider the lost time in the workplace, the impact at a country level is also significant. We estimate the
productivity loss from workplace absences due to eczema to be up to $299 million each year in New Zealand.*
“We’re proud to be partnering with the Eczema Association of New Zealand to help raise awareness of eczema and its toll
on New Zealanders. Our hope is that improved public understanding of the disease helps to inform better support for
eczema patients.”
Despite the significant impact eczema has on the lives of New Zealanders, people face challenges in accessing care and
treatment. Waitlists for public dermatology services are long and cost can be a barrier for some accessing private
dermatology services. Currently, there are also no reimbursed advanced treatment options for people with
moderate-to-severe eczema in New Zealand.
The Eczema Association of New Zealand and AbbVie will today be hosting a roundtable of medical, government and academic
experts to discuss the findings of the survey and options to improve access to timely and effective care, particularly
for those who live with moderate and severe eczema.