Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Fatigue
Health ConditionsSkin ConditionsEczema

Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Burnout Is a Real Thing

Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Burnout Is a Real Thing
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Published on March 11, 2026
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Maybe your medicine cabinet is stocked with moisturizers. Maybe you’re on your fifth topical prescription. And maybe you just want to throw in the towel — and toss every skin-care product in your home — because nothing you try seems to improve atopic dermatitis symptoms.

“I think there can be a sense of therapeutic [cynicism] that people feel, because they feel they’ve been there, done that, tried everything, and nothing works,” says Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, a dermatologist at University of Minnesota Physicians in Minneapolis.

If that sounds familiar, you might be experiencing treatment fatigue, a type of burnout that can make it hard to stick to a medication regimen.

 Problem is, if you abandon the treatment plan, you may have even more severe symptoms later on.

Luckily, “There’s a lot of hope right now for people with eczema, because we have more tools to treat it than we’ve ever had before,” says Dr. Maguiness.

The Emotional Burden of Treatment Fatigue

If you have treatment fatigue, you may be more likely to stop taking certain medications or use a less-structured approach to try to manage triggers, which can cause symptoms to flare up later on. Plus, it adds to the feeling that “nothing will ever work.”

Some people with treatment fatigue may endure:

  • Time Constraints Many people feel pressed for time, as if there aren’t enough hours in a day to manage eczema.
  • Physical and Mental Fatigue The irritation and chronic itching can make you feel not just physically tired, but also emotionally spent.
  • Anxiety Wondering when the next flare will occur can induce stress.
  • Isolation If you’re constantly treating your skin and dealing with flares, you may be missing out on social interactions, which can lead to isolation.
  • Career Compromises If the condition is severe enough, you may have to make certain sacrifices, such as pursuing remote work or leaving the workplace altogether.

What to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything

If you haven’t yet found a treatment that works for you, don’t lose hope. “It truly is an exciting time with eczema, because we have way more [systemic] treatments for patients now than we ever did,” says Maguiness. Talk to your dermatologist about your frustrations, and ask when you might expect to see some improvements in symptoms.

There are also other things you can do to manage the mental and emotional effects of the condition:

  • Consult a therapist. Some psychologists specialize in “psychodermatology” and can provide mental health guidance for people with severe atopic dermatitis (among other skin conditions). For example, they can teach you how to avoid hopelessness, feel more empowered, and navigate the anxiety and stress surrounding treatment fatigue.
  • Find a community. Join an in-person or virtual eczema support group to talk with others who may be experiencing treatment fatigue. Not only can this help you feel more understood, but you may also hear success stories from others who’ve achieved remission — and learn some practical tips, too.
  • Rely on an app. If you’re overwhelmed by logistics — for example, remembering when you last took medication or used moisturizer — try relying on an app, such as EczemaWise, from the National Eczema Association. The app, which can track symptoms and triggers, is designed to save you time and energy and help you manage the condition.
  • Exercise. It can be especially difficult to get in the mood to go for a walk or run when you have treatment fatigue. But exercising can help give you the energy to continue on the treatment plan, while also providing an emotional boost.

  • Practice mindfulness. Whether this means meditating, listening to music, practicing yoga, reading a book every day, or taking a nature walk, mindfulness practices can reduce overall stress levels with atopic dermatitis and may help you manage treatment fatigue.

“Treatment goals in atopic derm are clear: to have the disease well controlled — not itchy, not infected, and not impacting your quality of life,” says Maguiness. “And now, in this day and age, we can do that.”

The Takeaway

  • It’s not uncommon for people with atopic dermatitis to experience treatment fatigue, especially if nothing seems to improve symptoms.
  • While feeling some treatment fatigue is normal, it’s important to stick to a treatment plan to prevent symptoms from flaring up in the future.
  • It may be helpful to recruit a therapist or psychodermatologist to your care team. They can help you combat feelings of treatment fatigue.
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. Heckman BW et al. Treatment Burden and Treatment Fatigue as Barriers to Health. Current Opinion in Psychology. October 2015.
  2. Kapozza K et al. Insights From Caregivers on the Impact of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis on Families: “I’m Tired, Overwhelmed, and Feel Like I’m Failing as a Mother”. Dermatitis. June 2020.
  3. Managing Stress From Eczema. National Eczema Association. May 5, 2025.
  4. Stress and Eczema. National Eczema Association. May 5, 2025.
Additional Sources
  • Jerjes W et al. Addressing Treatment Fatigue, Therapeutic Inertia, and Cognitive Dissonance in Musculoskeletal Pain Management in Primary Care Setting. Frontiers in Medicine. June 25, 2025.
  • Andrus E. Practical, Real-World Pearls for Managing Complex Atopic Dermatitis Cases. Dermatology Times. February 12, 2025.
  • Examining Mental Health Between Eczema Flares. National Eczema Association. October 12, 2023.
  • Nelson S. Caregiver Burden in Atopic Dermatitis. National Eczema Association. October 27, 2021.
  • LeBovidge JS et al. Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis: Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Burden. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. May 2025.
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Susan Bard, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Susan Bard, MD, is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City. Her professional interests include Mohs micrographic surgery, cosmetic and laser procedures, and immunodermatology.

She is a procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery.

Dr. Bard has written numerous book chapters and articles for many prominent peer-reviewed journals, and authored the textbook The Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions.

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Elizabeth Hanes

Elizabeth Hanes, BSN, RN

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Elizabeth Hanes, BSN, RN, is an award-winning freelance health journalist, content writer, and registered nurse with more than two decades of experience in healthcare and medical publishing. Her work focuses on consumer health, chronic disease, aging, caregiving, preventive care, and evidence-based wellness, with an emphasis on accuracy, nuance, and editorial integrity.

With dual degrees in creative writing and nursing, Elizabeth bridges clinical insight with compelling storytelling, producing work that informs patients, supports clinicians, and elevates health brands. Her portfolio includes consumer-facing content, expert-driven features, white papers, thought leadership, and strategic SEO health content for health systems, digital health platforms, and national publishers.

Before turning to full-time writing, she practiced perioperative and clinic nursing, giving her real-world clinical perspective that enhances the credibility and usefulness of her work.

Outside her writing practice, she teaches and mentors healthcare professionals in health writing, helping others craft clear, high-impact health communications.

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