A new Northwestern Medicine study found that adults with eczema, which often starts in childhood, are more likely to have higher rates of smoking, drinking alcohol and obesity than those without the itchy chronic skin disease.
These behaviors give them a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and insomnia.
“This disease takes a huge emotional toll on its sufferers, like chronic pain,” according to lead author Dr. Jonathan Silverberg, “the skin condition can also make it harder to exercise, because heat and sweat make the itching worse.”
The research indicates dermatologists should focus on their patients lifestyle habits in addition to their disease.
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