Eczema Awareness Month
October 1 - October 31
About Eczema Awareness Month
Eczema Awareness Month takes place every October to raise understanding of eczema, reduce the stigma attached to visible skin conditions, and support the millions of people who live with this chronic, non-contagious disease. In the United States it is led by the National Eczema Association (NEA), with eczema charities elsewhere marking the month alongside related dates throughout the year.
What is Eczema Awareness Month?
Eczema Awareness Month is an annual, month-long campaign held throughout October to educate the public about eczema and the daily reality of living with it. The campaign is coordinated in the US by the National Eczema Association, a patient advocacy organisation that supports the more than 31 million Americans living with some form of the condition. Eczema is an umbrella term for a group of inflammatory skin conditions, the most common being atopic dermatitis, that cause dry, itchy, inflamed skin. The month focuses on accurate information, advocacy for better care, and visibility for a condition that is often dismissed as merely cosmetic.
When is Eczema Awareness Month?
Eczema Awareness Month runs for the whole of October. In 2026 it begins on Thursday, 1 October and ends on Saturday, 31 October. The month falls on the same dates every year, so it is a fixed observance rather than a variable one tied to a particular weekday. Many organisations time webinars, fundraising events, and social media campaigns across these 31 days.
Why Eczema Awareness Month Matters
Eczema is far more than dry skin. According to the National Eczema Association, more than 31 million people in the United States, roughly 1 in 10, live with some form of eczema, and the condition can affect every part of daily life. Around 61 percent of people with eczema experience skin pain such as a burning or stinging sensation, while 67 percent of children and about a third of adults with the condition report disturbed sleep. The itch-scratch cycle can be relentless, and the visible nature of flare-ups frequently leads to staring, misunderstanding, and assumptions that the condition is contagious, which it is not.
The psychological burden is significant too. Living with a chronic, visible condition is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression, and many people report avoiding social situations during flare-ups. Eczema Awareness Month matters because it replaces myths with facts, encourages earlier diagnosis and better treatment, and reminds those affected that they are part of a large and supportive community.
How to Get Involved in Eczema Awareness Month
There are many ways to support the campaign, whether you live with eczema yourself or want to back someone who does.
- Share your story – Posting your experience of eczema on social media, using campaign hashtags, helps normalise the condition and shows others they are not alone.
- Learn the facts – Read reliable information from organisations such as the National Eczema Association so you can recognise the different types of eczema and understand current treatment options.
- Attend a webinar – The NEA and other charities run free online sessions during October covering topics from treatment choices to navigating health insurance with a chronic condition.
- Challenge misconceptions – If you hear someone claim eczema is contagious or simply a matter of poor hygiene, gently correct them with accurate information.
- Fundraise or donate – Supporting a patient advocacy group helps fund research, education, and support services for the eczema community.
- Support someone close to you – Offer practical help to a friend, colleague, or family member with eczema, from understanding their triggers to being patient during flare-ups.
- Wear orange – Orange is widely associated with eczema awareness, so wearing it or decorating your space is a simple visual show of solidarity.
- Talk to a professional – If you suspect you have eczema but have never sought help, October is a good prompt to book an appointment with a GP or dermatologist.
History of Eczema Awareness Month
The National Eczema Association was founded in 1988 and has grown into the largest patient advocacy organisation in the US serving people affected by eczema. The NEA established October as Eczema Awareness Month to advocate for patients and educate communities about a condition that, despite being extremely common, was poorly understood by the wider public.
Over the following decades the campaign expanded from basic public education into a far-reaching annual programme. Each year the NEA adopts a distinct theme to keep the message fresh and to highlight a particular aspect of the eczema experience. Recent campaigns have invited the community to share one thing about their condition, staged creative public exhibitions, and encouraged people to make the often invisible struggles of eczema more visible. These themed efforts combine social media engagement, advocacy at a policy level, and community events.
The observance has also become genuinely international. Eczema charities around the world now use October, alongside dedicated dates such as World Atopic Eczema Day in September, to coordinate their own awareness activity, share research, and connect patients across borders. What began as a single organisation’s initiative has become a recognised fixture in the global health calendar.
Noteworthy Facts About Eczema Awareness Month
- More than 31 million people in the United States, around 1 in 10, live with some form of eczema.
- Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, but the umbrella also covers contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis.
- NEA research found that nearly 1 in 5 adult eczema patients have more than one type of eczema at the same time.
- Eczema most often develops in early childhood, typically between two months and five years of age, though roughly 1 in 4 people first experience symptoms as adults.
- The National Eczema Association, which leads the month in the US, was founded in 1988.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eczema Awareness Month?
It is an annual, month-long campaign held every October to raise public understanding of eczema, reduce stigma, and support people who live with the condition. In the US it is coordinated by the National Eczema Association.
When is Eczema Awareness Month in 2026?
It runs throughout October 2026, from Thursday, 1 October to Saturday, 31 October. The dates are the same every year.
Who organises Eczema Awareness Month?
In the United States the campaign is led by the National Eczema Association, founded in 1988. Eczema charities in other countries run their own awareness activity during October too.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Eczema Awareness Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #EczemaAwarenessMonth and #EczemaAwarenessMonth2026 on social media. The more people who understand eczema, the more supportive and informed our communities become.
Related Awareness Days
- National Eczema Week – A dedicated week focused on eczema, complementing October’s month-long campaign with its own awareness activity.
- National Healthy Skin Month – Held in November, this month promotes skin health and care for everyone, including those managing chronic skin conditions.
- International Skin Pigmentation Day – A day raising awareness of skin pigmentation conditions and the importance of skin health and protection.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
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