Mental health and skin experts are worried about the growing number of Nigerians dealing with depression and mental health problems caused by long-term skin issues like eczema, acne, psoriasis, and vitiligo.
These experts say that the emotional effects of having visible skin conditions—especially for teenagers and young adults—have been ignored for too long.
Speaking to reporters, they explained that people with skin problems often face shame, low self-esteem, being left out socially, and in serious cases, depression or even thoughts of suicide.
In Nigeria, skin diseases are a major health issue, especially infections and skin infestations, which are very common in children.
According to the World Health Organisation, skin diseases cause some deaths in Nigeria. The country ranks 90th in the world for death rates related to skin conditions, after adjusting for age.
A report in the *Nigerian Journal of Dermatology* shows that eczema and skin infections are the most common skin problems seen in Nigerian hospitals. Eczema alone makes up 26.5% of cases at one dermatology clinic.
As more Nigerians—especially women—struggle with skin conditions, experts say people with long-term skin problems are 60% more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety compared to those without.
Dr. Moses Adeolu, a psychiatrist at a hospital in Abeokuta, says patients with eczema and other skin issues often experience anxiety, low confidence, and serious depression.
He said, “These skin problems are not just about appearance. They affect how people feel about themselves and how others treat them. Eczema causes intense itching and changes to the skin that can lead to isolation and emotional pain.”
Dr. Adeolu said this issue is worse in Nigeria because many people misunderstand skin diseases. Some think it means someone is dirty or cursed.
He said skin and mental health should be treated as a serious public health issue.
He recommended that dermatology clinics in hospitals should also screen patients for mental health issues and work with mental health experts.
He said, “The mental burden is real. Skin problems are easy to see, and in our society where appearance matters a lot, the emotional pain can be even worse than the physical symptoms.”
He asked the government to start a campaign to fight the stigma around skin conditions and educate people about the emotional impact.
He added, “We need to stop seeing skin issues like acne and eczema as only beauty problems. If ignored, they can destroy a person’s emotional and mental health.”
He also said families and schools should be more supportive because hurtful comments from close people can make things worse.
Dr. Edesiri Ighorodje, a skin doctor at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, said many Nigerians with long-term skin problems are secretly suffering from depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
She explained that visible skin problems, along with public ignorance and stigma, make people feel bad about themselves and affect their mental health.
She said, “Even if the skin issue is not serious, the fact that people can see it can lower someone’s self-esteem and make life harder.”
Dr. Ighorodje said people with eczema, vitiligo, acne, and other long-term skin conditions often face teasing, shame, and being left out, which deeply hurts their mental well-being.
“There are many wrong beliefs about skin diseases. People think it’s from being dirty or cursed. This causes shame and mental health issues,” she said.
She explained that painful symptoms like itching and scars, along with the high cost of treatment and knowing the condition might not be curable, add to the stress.
Over time, she warned, this stress can lead to depression, anxiety, or even thoughts of suicide.
She also said that skin conditions without a cure—like vitiligo and albinism—can cause even more emotional pain, especially if they are not properly treated. They can even lead to worse conditions like skin cancer.
Dr. Ighorodje said early treatment and advice from professionals are very important.
Every skin condition is different. Don’t use advice from social media or untrained people. See a qualified dermatologist,” she advised.
She criticized the rise of skincare tips from social media influencers, saying these often make the problem worse.
“There’s too much wrong information online. People try trending products that don’t work or make things worse. Your skin needs professional care, not advice from the internet,” she warned.
She encouraged people living with chronic skin problems not to suffer alone but to join support groups—either online or in person.
“These support groups help people feel understood, share advice, and realize they are not alone. That support is very important for mental health,” she said.
