Mindfulness for Eczema: Does It Help?
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Can Mindfulness Help Relieve Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms?

Can Mindfulness Help Relieve Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms?
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Updated on March 19, 2026
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Although atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, is a skin problem, this physical disorder can also be affected by a person’s state of mind. The chronic inflammatory skin disease can worsen due to stress and poor emotional health.

Tapping into that connection, a small body of research has found that psychological interventions such as mindfulness and self-compassion can reduce atopic dermatitis severity and improve quality of life.

“Integrating mindfulness and self-compassion into usual dermatological care could help people with eczema's quality of life, symptoms, and psychological well-being,” says Sanae Kishimoto, MPH, a clinical psychologist at Kyoto University’s School of Public Health in Japan, who is the lead author of a study on the topic.

Why Practicing Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Can Benefit People With Atopic Dermatitis

For her study, Kishimoto and colleagues recruited 107 adults in Japan with moderate to severe eczema, 56 of whom received training in mindfulness and self-compassion.

“Self-compassion is essentially helping people learn to treat themselves the same way that they typically treat dear friends when they suffer, fail, or fall short,” says study coauthor Steven Hickman, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and founding director of the University of California in San Diego's Center for Mindfulness. He adds that it involves practicing mindfulness by “recognizing that we are struggling or suffering, reminding ourselves that these struggles are a part of any imperfect human life, and then [practicing self-compassion by] responding to the question ‘What do I need in this moment?’”

By teaching these strategies, Dr. Hickman says, “We are essentially helping people to be willing to encounter difficult feelings and remain present, rather than reacting and going into self-criticism, shame, and self-blame, which is more typical for many people.”

Compared with the control group, those who received the psychological and behavioral training reported significant improvements in their quality of life in terms of physical symptoms, emotional effects, and impacts on socializing and work. Participants also showed marked improvement in the intensity of itching and scratching, how much itching bothered them, anxiety, depression, shame, self-esteem, and self-compassion.

“Even just 60 to 90 minutes per week of regular contemplative training can yield measurably improved outcomes,” says Hickman.

Other studies have reported similar results. One study of 10 people that implemented an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program found that participants also saw improvements in disease severity and the same quality of life scale measured by the previous study. They also experienced significant increases in mindfulness scores for acceptance and presence.

And one research review found that mindfulness-based interventions increased well-being and quality of life as well as decreased stress levels in people with atopic dermatitis. Its authors note that research on mindfulness techniques has shown short-term improvement in other inflammatory skin conditions, too, like psoriasis.

While mindfulness and self-compassion practices show promise as complementary treatments for eczema, larger randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm these results and determine the optimal amount and type of practice.

Atopic Dermatitis: A Widespread Problem That’s More Than Skin Deep

In the United States, 1 in 10 people have some form of this inflammatory chronic condition, which can cause itchiness, dry skin, rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and skin infections.

For Golara Honari, MD, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Stanford Medicine in California, the results confirm the importance of the mind-body connection with eczema. The findings underscore that psychological stress can affect the skin, while at the same time, the skin condition can fuel emotional distress.

“Eczema is way more than just that itchy, dry skin. It's a multifactorial disease that can be really debilitating,” says Dr. Honari. “A lot of psychological comorbidities have been associated with atopic dermatitis, such as [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder], depression, and anxiety.”

For those with eczema, Hickman says that research validates the physical benefits of self-reflection.

“Being able to be present and aware of one’s struggles, in any form, and able to meet oneself with the same kindness we extend to others when they struggle, can lead to marked improvement in our quality of life, mood, outlook, and capacity to cope with the bumps and hiccups of daily life,” he says.

“This is true of atopic dermatitis the same way it is true with chronic pain, cancer, general stress, and many other conditions.”

The Takeaway

  • A small body of research on people with atopic dermatitis (eczema) suggests that mindfulness practices can improve disease severity and quality of life.
  • The findings of several research papers underscore the mind-body connection in eczema and how people with the condition may be able to improve their experience through practices involving mindfulness and self-compassion.
  • While the research is promising, larger randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm the results and help find the optimal amount and type of practice for people with atopic dermatitis.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Managing Stress from Eczema. National Eczema Association. May 5, 2025.
  2. Yosipovitch G et al. Integrative Treatment Approaches with Mind–Body Therapies in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Clinical Medicine. September 11, 2024.
  3. Khalil NB et al. Mindfulness-Based Techniques in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis: A Narrative Review. Journal of Integrative Dermatology. August 6, 2025.
  4. Kishimoto S et al. Efficacy of Integrated Online Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Training for Adults With Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatology. May 10, 2023.
  5. Offenbächer M et al. A Pilot Study of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programme in Patients Suffering from Atopic Dermatitis. Psych. November 17, 2021.
  6. Eczema Facts. National Eczema Association.
  7. Kiiski V et al. Effect of Disease Severity on Comorbid Conditions in Atopic Dermatitis: Nationwide Registry-Based Investigation in Finnish Adults. ActaDV. March 8, 2023.
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Blair Murphy-Rose, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and the founder of Skincare Junkie. She is an accomplished cosmetic, medical, and surgical dermatologist, specializing in leading-edge facial rejuvenation techniques, including injectable fillers and botulinum toxin injections, advanced laser procedures, noninvasive body contouring, and removing lumps and bumps with precision. She is an expert in the treatment and detection of medical conditions, including skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. Dr. Rose believes in a comprehensive approach to skin health and incorporating a skin-care routine tailored specifically for each individual and utilizing a wide array of tools to target specific skin concerns.

Rose has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatology Surgery, and Pediatric Dermatology, and has been featured in numerous publications, including Vogue, Elle, Allure, Cosmopolitan, Self, Women’s Health, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

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Don Rauf

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Don Rauf has been a freelance health writer for over 12 years and his writing has been featured in HealthDay, CBS News, WebMD, U.S. News & World Report, Mental Floss, United Press International (UPI), Health, and MedicineNet. He was previously a reporter for DailyRx.com where he covered stories related to cardiology, diabetes, lung cancer, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, menopause, and allergies. He has interviewed doctors and pharmaceutical representatives in the U.S. and abroad.

He is a prolific writer and has written more than 50 books, including Lost America: Vanished Civilizations, Abandoned Towns, and Roadside Attractions. Rauf lives in Seattle, Washington.

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