Are you AuDHD (autistic with ADHD) and have eczema?
It’s more common than you might think. The link between childhood eczema and ADHD has been studied for over 30 years, with the risk of developing ADHD symptoms doubling for children with eczema. There’s also a link between eczema and autism – children with eczema show more severe autism symptoms.
Sensory Problems
Coping with eczema is complicated enough, but autism and ADHD can make it extra challenging. The sensory impact of having to apply creams and lotions can be overwhelming, and itchiness can lead to us feeling overstimulated. Clothing that was previously “safe” can become unwearable if it aggravates or sticks to patches of eczema, and soothing items such as weighted blankets can be too hot and trigger flares. Scratching and skin picking can become stims which makes it much harder for us to keep our eczema under control, as we’re using this to soothe ourselves.
What can help: Ice packs wrapped in tea towels can help with the itchiness as can patting the skin rather than scratching, and having a variety of clothing available can give you more options depending on where your eczema is flaring. Try noticing if there are times and locations where you scratch more, and test a variety of fidget toys to find ones that can distract from the urge to scratch.
Executive Functioning
If we struggle with impulsivity, this can make it harder for us to stop scratching, causing skin damage and making it much harder to heal. The itchiness can also make it harder for us to focus at school or work. For those of us who struggle to be consistent, keeping up with how often to apply creams etc can be a real challenge. If we have severe eczema, there can be a huge amount of medical admin, keeping up with appointments and chasing test results. It’s a lot to keep in our heads.
What can help: Again, fidget toys can help with the focus and give you something to do with your hands if automatic scratching is a problem. Calendar alerts or apps like Finch can help with reminding when to use creams and medication. Text alerts from GPs and hospitals could also help you remember appointments if they are an option.
Mental Health
Those of us with eczema are more likely to struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and OCD. Anxiety and stress can make our eczema worse, and we’ve often had to cope with childhood bullying, feeling isolated and struggling with body image.
What can help: You can look at what’s in your stress bucket, and what activities could help you to lower it. Being outside in nature can help, as can planning soothing activities into your day and making them a priority, working out which accommodations are available for sensory difficulties, and finding what sensory activities you enjoy. Dr Megan Anna Neff has a great book on self-care for autistic adults that can help you explore what works for you. Finding other people with eczema to talk to (in-person and online) can really help with feeling less alone.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, therapy can help. If you’re in the UK there is counselling available via the NHS or you can find private therapists via directories such as Psychology Today or via professional membership organisations overseen by the Professional Standards Authority.
If you’re feeling suicidal, please seek support. If you’re in the UK and in immediate risk of hurting yourself, call 999 or go to A&E, if you’re in urgent need of mental health support, please call 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk. There are also volunteers available 24/7 to listen, for example Samaritans or Shout.
Sleep
Sleep can be a common problem for those of us with AuDHD, and the itchiness and pain of eczema often makes it hard for us to have a good night’s sleep as well. It’s a vicious cycle!
What can help: Try building in transition time before going to bed, and add soothing sound and lighting to your nighttime routine. If your mind races while you’re trying to sleep, it can be helpful to listen to a calming podcast, sleep story or nature sounds to give you something to focus on.
Emotional Regulation
We often struggle with regulating our emotions, and feeling overwhelmed and distressed can lead to bouts of scratching and skin picking to soothe ourselves which can help in the moment, but really affect our eczema and mental health in the long term.
What can help: Try different sorts of grounding techniques when you’re feeling calmer, so that you have a toolbox for when you’re struggling to bring you back into the present moment. Breathing exercises can help as can mindfulness, however this may need to be adapted to suit your brain - apps such as Insight Timer and Calm have ADHD-specific mindfulness and meditation exercises. Journaling could help to clear your head and see useful patterns.
Living with eczema and AuDHD can be really challenging - please try to be kind to yourself.
Madeleine Ayling is an accredited counsellor and clinical supervisor who specialises in working with eczema & other chronic illnesses, ADHD, autism & AuDHD and Covid-conscious clients. She is late-diagnosed AuDHD and has had eczema since she was a baby.
Madeleine works with individual adults and also facilitates therapeutic support groups. You can find out more or sign up to hear about future eczema support groups at https://blackcatcounselling.co.uk/. You can also find her on Instagram and Facebook as @blackcatcounselling.