Jan 15, 2015 03:52 PM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

People who suffer from eczema have higher rates of smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and obesity and are less likely to exercise than adults who don't have the disease, according to a recent study.

Researchers at Northwestern University found that these behaviors give those with eczema a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as diabetes. They also have higher rates of insomnia. About 10 percent of adults in the United States have eczema.

"This disease takes a huge emotional toll on its sufferers, like chronic pain," Dr. Jonathan Silverberg, lead author of the study, said in a statement. "Because eczema often starts in early childhood, people are affected all through their developmental years and adolescence. It hurts their self-esteem and identity. That's part of why we see all these negative behaviors."

For the study, researchers analyzed data more than 60,000 adults aged 18 to 85 years from the 2010 and 2012 National Health Interview Survey.

Based on their findings, patients with eczema had 54 percent higher odds of being morbidly obese, 48 percent higher odds of hypertension, up to 93 percent higher odds of having pre-diabetes and up to 42 percent higher odds of having diabetes. They also had 36 percent higher odds of high cholesterol.

Researchers suggest that dermatologists ask patients about their lifestyle habits such as smoking and physical activity so they can offer interventions.

Adding to eczema patients' health woes is difficulty exercising because sweat and heat aggravate the itching.

"They will avoid anything that triggers the itch," Silverberg said. "Patients report their eczema flares during a workout. This opens our eyes in the world of dermatology that we're not just treating chronic inflammation of the skin but the behavioral, lifestyle side of things."

The findings are detailed in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 

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