Impact of sensitive skin on quality of life, anxiety and depression: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Sensitive skin (SS) is a common condition reported by many people worldwide. Patient interviews reveal that individuals with SS experience diminished quality of life, anxiety and depression. Nonetheless, the impact of SS on mental health remains unclear. Objectives To assess whether SS affects mental health and the relationship between symptom severity and its impact. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea, between June 2022 and March 2023. The Sensitive Scale 10 (SS-10) was used for SS diagnosis and severity scoring, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) subscales were used to assess mental health. On the basis of their SS-10 scores, participants were categorized as ‘nonsensitive’ (score < 20), ‘sensitive’ (score 20–49) and ‘extremely sensitive’ (score ≥ 50). Objective measurements included transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, erythema and Demodex mite density. Results Of the 200 participants, 146 completed the study. Participants were predominantly women [n = 116/146 (79.5%)] with a mean (SD) age of 36.86 (12.25) years. DLQI scores were higher in more sensitive groups (nonsensitive 6.25; sensitive 14.46; extremely sensitive 18.86; P < 0.001). HADS-A and HADS-D scores also increased with severity. HADS-A scores ranged from 4.94 in nonsensitive participants to 7.80 in extremely sensitive participants (P < 0.05), while HADS-D scores ranged from 3.88 in nonsensitive participants to 8.54 in extremely sensitive participants (P < 0.001). DLQI was significantly influenced by discomfort and redness, HADS-A by TEWL (negatively) and flushes, and HADS-D by flushes. Conclusions SS is associated with lower quality of life and increased anxiety and depression. Symptoms of SS substantially impact patients’ psychological wellbeing.