Survey highlights gaps in long-term management of chronic inflammatory skin disease

A nationwide survey of adults and parents of children with chronic inflammatory skin diseases found high levels of concern about topical steroid use and widespread reliance on reactive, flare-based treatment approaches, according to results released by Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.

The survey, Skin Insights: Steroid Perceptions in Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases, assessed perceptions and behaviors related to topical steroid use among individuals with plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. It included responses from 1,000 adults and 500 parents of affected children and was conducted in August and September 2025.

Across conditions, uncontrolled disease activity was common. Nearly three-quarters of adults (72%) and 80% of children experienced uncontrolled symptoms at least once per month, with some reporting daily flares. Most respondents indicated that current treatment strategies remain reactive rather than preventive: 79% of adults and 78% of parents reported that their or their child’s treatment plan focuses on addressing flares after they occur rather than on long-term disease management aimed at preventing flares.

Concerns about topical steroid use were also prevalent. Although all respondents had been prescribed at least one topical steroid at some point, 88% of adults and 91% of parents reported concern about at least one short- or long-term adverse effect. The most frequently cited concerns included skin thinning, hypopigmentation, and acne. Despite these concerns, nearly half of adults (48%) and parents (45%) said they were hesitant to raise questions with their or their child’s clinician about long-term topical steroid use.

The survey also documented substantial emotional and functional burden associated with uncontrolled disease. When symptoms were not controlled, respondents reported discomfort, frustration, embarrassment, anxiety, and avoidance of social or daily activities. Among adults, 47% reported avoiding meeting friends, while among children, 54% avoided school and 51% avoided social interactions during periods of uncontrolled disease.

“Psoriasis is a chronic disease that requires lifelong management — and much the same could be said of seborrheic dermatitis and eczema,” said Leah M. Howard, JD, president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. “This survey highlights an important trend: most treatment plans still focus on a reactive approach focused on taming flares, instead of a proactive, long-term disease management strategy to prevent flares.”

Even when symptoms appeared controlled, ongoing concern persisted. Nearly two-thirds of adults (59%) and parents (61%) reported self-consciousness related to scarring or skin changes from prior flares, and more than half reported anxiety about future disease worsening. Only 20% of adults and 19% of parents expressed complete confidence in their ability to maintain disease control with current prescribed therapies.

“For the more than 46 million Americans living with atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and plaque psoriasis, these insights have serious everyday implications,” said Wendy Smith Begolka, MBS, chief program and mission officer of the National Eczema Association. “This research confirms and builds on a growing body of data indicating the marked social, mental, and emotional burden experienced by adults and children with skin conditions.”

According to Arcutis, the findings underscore the need to re-evaluate long-term management strategies for chronic inflammatory skin diseases. “These survey findings highlight the real-world challenges adults and parents of children with these conditions face in managing chronic skin diseases and reinforce the need for treatment options that go beyond cyclical care and deliver effective, sustained relief,” said Patrick Burnett, MD, PhD, FAAD, chief medical officer at Arcutis.

Reference

Arcutis Biotherapeutics. Nationwide Survey Underscores Concerns with Use of Topical Steroids and Need for Long-Term Treatment Strategies Facing the 46 Million Americans with Chronic Inflammatory Skin Conditions. Global Newswire. January 21, 2026. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/01/21/3222712/0/en/Nationwide-Survey-Underscores-Concerns-with-Use-of-Topical-Steroids-and-Need-for-Long-Term-Treatment-Strategies-Facing-the-46-Million-Americans-with-Chronic-Inflammatory-Skin-Condi.html