Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRiskLong COVID and EczemaComplicationsVaccine SafetyTreatmentsHow to Stay Safe
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk
Long COVID and Eczema
Complications
Vaccine Safety
Treatments
How to Stay Safe
Although people with eczema don’t appear to develop more severe COVID-19 symptoms, eczema may be a risk factor for long COVID in some people.
Eczemais a group of conditions that cause the skin to become dry, red, itchy, or inflamed. In some cases, the skin can also blister and weep.
Research regarding eczema, COVID-19, long COVID, and related medications is ongoing as scientists continuously learn more about these conditions.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Eczema and COVID-19 Risk
Medical professionals advise that having eczema alone is probably not a significant risk factor for contracting or having a more severe case of COVID-19. The general thinking seems to be that even in severe eczema, the immune system is disordered but not compromised.
A cross-sectional research study carried out in the United Kingdom found that atopic eczema and psoriasis were not associated with an increased risk of testing positive for COVID-19. Researchers advised that these two conditions should not be considered risk factors for contracting COVID-19.
However, it is not fully understood how COVID-19 affects people with eczema or if certain types of eczema medication may affect their response to the virus.
Although people with eczema are not considered at high risk for contracting or developing severe symptoms of COVID-19, it is still essential to keep eczema symptoms under control to prevent flare-ups.
Due to the role viral infections play in the development of eczema, researchers studied the risk of new-onset eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) after a COVID-19 infection. Study results showed a significant increase in new-onset eczema in those with a previous COVID-19 infection.
A 2022 study found that eczema was one of the most common medical conditions in people experiencing long COVID. The study authors reported that 19.5% had a history of eczema.
More research is needed regarding the association between eczema and long COVID.
Complications of Eczema and COVID-19
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, regularly washing hands with soap and water (to remove germs and viruses from the skin) is recommended. However, frequently washing hands with soap can cause problems for people with eczema, worsening symptoms.
To help lessen the effect of handwashing and sanitizing gel on your eczema symptoms, follow these tips:
Stress can also exacerbate eczema symptoms through its effects on immune response and skin barrier function.It’s essential to be aware that the impact of COVID-19 on your life could be increasing your stress levels. Therefore, to help prevent eczema flare-ups, you can practice techniques to reduce stress levels.
If wearing a face mask worsens facial eczema, try these suggestions:
Tips for managing stress and eczema include the following:
There have been anecdotal reports that the COVID-19 vaccine has worsened eczema symptoms or caused a flare-up in some patients. However, the National Eczema Society states that there is no robust evidence to show that the COVID-19 vaccine will worsen eczema.
Most people witheczema and allergiescan have the COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get vaccinated even if they have a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injectable medications—such as foods, pets, or latex allergies.
If you believe the COVID-19 vaccine has exacerbated your eczema, speak to your healthcare professional and discuss whether it needs to be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
In regards to eczema medications and getting vaccinated, experts advise that there is no increased risk of side effects from the vaccine when taking any type of medication for eczema.
It is thought that some immunosuppressive treatments might reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine, but this is theoretical. At present, there is no definitive data to confirm this. Researchers continue to investigate this.
The CDC advises that the only people at risk with allergies are those who have had an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components, including polyethylene glycol (PEG).
Allergic ReactionsIf you are concerned about an allergic reaction you had to another vaccine, injectable medicine, or PEG, then speak to your healthcare provider. They will help you decide if it is safe for you to get vaccinated.
Allergic Reactions
If you are concerned about an allergic reaction you had to another vaccine, injectable medicine, or PEG, then speak to your healthcare provider. They will help you decide if it is safe for you to get vaccinated.
Eczema Treatments and COVID-19
Some people with eczema take systemic treatments that affect the immune system. Examples of these medications includeprednisone, cyclosporine, methotrexate, Imuran (azathioprine), andCellcept (mycophenolate).
When taking systemic medication, it is advised that you avoid live vaccines.Note that none of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States contain a live virus.Therefore, if you are taking a treatment that affects the immune system, it is advised that you can safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Even though it is considered safe to have the COVID-19 vaccine, clinicians advise they still do not know whether being on an immunosuppressant or biologic treatment will reduce the vaccine’s effectiveness. Research is still ongoing in this area.
If you take immunosuppressant, systemic, or biologic medication for your eczema and are concerned about whether you are more at risk from COVID-19, then speak to your healthcare provider for advice about any special precautions you should take.
The best way to stay safe with eczema during the pandemic is to follow public health guidance to lower the risk of catching COVID-19:
Summary
Having eczema does not place a person in a high-risk category to become infected with COVID-19 or have a severe case or complications. Eczema may, however, be a risk factor for long COVID in some people.
Your eczema symptoms may worsen with frequent handwashing and wearing a face mask, so you may need to take measures to prevent this. COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with eczema unless they have had an allergic reaction to the vaccine or one of its components.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed. As new research becomes available, we’ll update this article. For the latest on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Ask the ecz-perts: the latest about COVID-19 and eczema.Yiu ZZN, Harding-Oredugba G, Griffiths CEM, Warren RB, McMullen E, Hunter HJA.Risk of COVID-19 infection in adult patients with atopic eczema and psoriasis: a single-centre cross-sectional study.Br J Dermatol. 2021;185(2):441-443. doi:10.1111/bjd.20062National Institute for Health Research (U.K.) Biomedical Research Centre.How does COVID-19 affect patients with atopic eczema?.Schmitt J, Ehm F, Vivirito A, et al.Large cohort study shows increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis after COVID‐19 disease.Allergy. 2024;79(1):232-234. doi:10.1111/all.15827Subramanian A, Nirantharakumar K, Hughes S, et al.Symptoms and risk factors for long COVID in non-hospitalized adults.Nat Med. 2022;28(8):1706-1714. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-01909-wNational Eczema Society.Advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) for people with eczema.Steinhoff M, Suárez A, Feramisco J, Koo J.Psychoneuroimmunology of psychological stress and atopic dermatitis: pathophysiologic and therapeutic updates.Acta Dermato Venereologica. 2012;92(1):7-15. doi:10.2340/00015555-1188National Eczema Society.Ask the ecz-perts: Covid-19, vaccines, booster shots and flaring from the virus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Myths & facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Ask the ecz-perts: the latest about COVID-19 and eczema.Yiu ZZN, Harding-Oredugba G, Griffiths CEM, Warren RB, McMullen E, Hunter HJA.Risk of COVID-19 infection in adult patients with atopic eczema and psoriasis: a single-centre cross-sectional study.Br J Dermatol. 2021;185(2):441-443. doi:10.1111/bjd.20062National Institute for Health Research (U.K.) Biomedical Research Centre.How does COVID-19 affect patients with atopic eczema?.Schmitt J, Ehm F, Vivirito A, et al.Large cohort study shows increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis after COVID‐19 disease.Allergy. 2024;79(1):232-234. doi:10.1111/all.15827Subramanian A, Nirantharakumar K, Hughes S, et al.Symptoms and risk factors for long COVID in non-hospitalized adults.Nat Med. 2022;28(8):1706-1714. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-01909-wNational Eczema Society.Advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) for people with eczema.Steinhoff M, Suárez A, Feramisco J, Koo J.Psychoneuroimmunology of psychological stress and atopic dermatitis: pathophysiologic and therapeutic updates.Acta Dermato Venereologica. 2012;92(1):7-15. doi:10.2340/00015555-1188National Eczema Society.Ask the ecz-perts: Covid-19, vaccines, booster shots and flaring from the virus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Myths & facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Eczema Association.Ask the ecz-perts: the latest about COVID-19 and eczema.Yiu ZZN, Harding-Oredugba G, Griffiths CEM, Warren RB, McMullen E, Hunter HJA.Risk of COVID-19 infection in adult patients with atopic eczema and psoriasis: a single-centre cross-sectional study.Br J Dermatol. 2021;185(2):441-443. doi:10.1111/bjd.20062National Institute for Health Research (U.K.) Biomedical Research Centre.How does COVID-19 affect patients with atopic eczema?.Schmitt J, Ehm F, Vivirito A, et al.Large cohort study shows increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis after COVID‐19 disease.Allergy. 2024;79(1):232-234. doi:10.1111/all.15827Subramanian A, Nirantharakumar K, Hughes S, et al.Symptoms and risk factors for long COVID in non-hospitalized adults.Nat Med. 2022;28(8):1706-1714. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-01909-wNational Eczema Society.Advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) for people with eczema.Steinhoff M, Suárez A, Feramisco J, Koo J.Psychoneuroimmunology of psychological stress and atopic dermatitis: pathophysiologic and therapeutic updates.Acta Dermato Venereologica. 2012;92(1):7-15. doi:10.2340/00015555-1188National Eczema Society.Ask the ecz-perts: Covid-19, vaccines, booster shots and flaring from the virus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Myths & facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
National Eczema Association.Ask the ecz-perts: the latest about COVID-19 and eczema.
Yiu ZZN, Harding-Oredugba G, Griffiths CEM, Warren RB, McMullen E, Hunter HJA.Risk of COVID-19 infection in adult patients with atopic eczema and psoriasis: a single-centre cross-sectional study.Br J Dermatol. 2021;185(2):441-443. doi:10.1111/bjd.20062
National Institute for Health Research (U.K.) Biomedical Research Centre.How does COVID-19 affect patients with atopic eczema?.
Schmitt J, Ehm F, Vivirito A, et al.Large cohort study shows increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis after COVID‐19 disease.Allergy. 2024;79(1):232-234. doi:10.1111/all.15827
Subramanian A, Nirantharakumar K, Hughes S, et al.Symptoms and risk factors for long COVID in non-hospitalized adults.Nat Med. 2022;28(8):1706-1714. doi:10.1038/s41591-022-01909-w
National Eczema Society.Advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) for people with eczema.
Steinhoff M, Suárez A, Feramisco J, Koo J.Psychoneuroimmunology of psychological stress and atopic dermatitis: pathophysiologic and therapeutic updates.Acta Dermato Venereologica. 2012;92(1):7-15. doi:10.2340/00015555-1188
National Eczema Society.Ask the ecz-perts: Covid-19, vaccines, booster shots and flaring from the virus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Myths & facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
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