Atopic dermatitis. Managing it best with an educational and psychological approach.

Today we know that attention must go beyond the mere physiological manifestation of the disease and must necessarily include psychological aspectsas well, within a holistic view in which body and mind are no longer separate but inseparable.

The symptoms of atopic dermatitisare mainly characterized by visible redness and intense itching, associated with very dry skin. Living with this condition presents a great difficulty for those who suffer from it. For this reason, patients with dermatitis often experience psychological profiles characterized by high levels of anxietyand stressand by difficulty in identifying and expressing their emotions, which can trigger skin reactions and inflammatory processes in the skin. Therefore, it is essential not to underestimate the psychological component of atopic dermatitis.

To better understand the importance of the educational and psychological approach in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, we involved Dr. Laura Franceschini, a psychologist and psychotherapist at Terme di Comanospecializing in consultations and personalized pathways with a particular focus on the management of atopic dermatitisin adults, children, and families.

“Atopic dermatitis has a strong impact on social life and relationships that goes far beyond the physiological symptoms. Self-confidence and self-esteem related to body image are usually affected. The therapeutic principle therefore consists in recovering direct contact with one's bodyand skin, without replacing the doctor or medicine, but using it as a basis for skin and atopic dermatitis care”.

The first step is to understand the disease. Knowing it and learning to manage it in daily life not only allows you to accept atopic dermatitis and its chronicity, but also to acquire the correct information and strategies to overcome negative aspectssuch as unhelpful thoughts or sabotaging behaviors, and begin a more conscious coexistence with your condition.

Dr. Franceschini addresses these topics in an interesting training event entitled The Atopic Dermatitis School, which she co-hosts weekly with the renowned pediatrician and allergist Dr. Ermanno Baldoat the Terme di Comano and which is part of the Comano Educationaltraining program.

Aware of the importance of associating medical and thermal therapies with psychological treatment that can help in acknowledging one's problem and reducing anxiety levels, Terme di Comano offers a psychological support service for patients with atopic dermatitisand their families. "The psychological aspect," explains Dr. Franceschini, "works in terms of psychoeducational and motivational intervention: understanding what is good and what is bad in one's lifestyle means learning to 'feel one's own skin,' in a continuous dance between experiences, perceptions, and subsequent cognitive acquisitions, in addition to the experiences of positive change in 'feeling good'."

Only in this way is it possible to overcome anxiety and the feeling of not being able to cope, and to bring atopic dermatitis back within a manageable and non-pathological boundary."

The Terme di Comano are one of Europe's leading dermatology centers of excellence. The natural treatment of atopic dermatitis, through thermal baths, is combined with specialist dermatological services, psychological consultations, and personalized dietary and nutritional plans, provided by the medical team of the Comano Med multidisciplinary outpatient clinic.