For many Canadians living with chronic inflammatory skin, the impact goes far beyond what is visible on the surface. Their effects can extend into nearly every aspect of daily life, especially when it comes to self esteem and mental health.
Conditions like atopic dermatitis (AD) and prurigo nodularis (PN) are often characterized by persistent inflammation and intense itch, but those are just some of the physical symptoms and effects. Atopic dermatitis is increasingly recognized not just as a skin condition, but as a disease with significant psychosocial consequences. Research shows that nearly 50 per cent of people living with AD report a severe impact on their overall quality of life. 52 per cent say others don’t fully understand the effects of chronic itch, highlighting a widespread lack of awareness about how relentless symptoms can affect mental health and emotional wellbeing.
The consequences can be profound. Thirty-five per cent of patients report that visible skin lesions contribute to low self-esteem and avoidance of social situations, while 30 per cent directly link poor sleep quality to struggles with their mental health. Anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal are common experiences, driven in large part by the constant itch that disrupts rest, concentration, and a sense of normalcy.
A new approach to treating chronic itch
Against this backdrop, Galderma Canada’s recent announcement marks a significant development for patients. Nemluvio® (nemolizumab for injection) has now been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis in adults. Unlike many existing therapies that focus primarily on skin inflammation, Nemluvio® targets the underlying itch signal itself, which is a core driver of both physical symptoms and psychosocial distress.
By reducing the relentless itch and visible symptoms that so often fuel emotional strain, the treatment offers the potential for improvements not only in skin clarity, but also in sleep, confidence, and overall quality of life.
A patient’s perspective
For Anne Murphy, who has lived with atopic dermatitis since childhood, the burden of the condition was constant and exhausting.
“Living with atopic dermatitis meant suffering with constant itch and inflammation. It affected my sleep, my confidence, and even my ability to focus at work,” she says. “I’ve tried so many treatments that only offered temporary relief, so I was grateful to participate in the study for Galderma’s Nemluvio, which goes directly after the itch itself.”
For Murphy, the difference was immediate and profound. “This treatment was life altering for me. I instantly noticed a difference in how I felt and looked,” she says. “While I await its availability in Canada, I feel a real sense of hope and relief knowing that I have finally found a medication that targets what has been most debilitating for me over the years.”
Why targeting itch matters
Dermatology experts emphasize that itch is not a secondary symptom. In fact, it is often the most disabling aspect of chronic skin disease.
“For people living with conditions such as atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis, itch is far more than a minor discomfort, it is often the most debilitating aspect of the disease, interfering with sleep, focus, and overall quality of life,” explains Dr. Jennifer Beecker, MD FRCPC CCFP(EM) FAAD DABD, Research Director, Division of Dermatology at The Ottawa Hospital.
Dr. Beecker notes that Nemluvio® represents an important shift in how these conditions are treated. “What makes this new treatment particularly significant is that it targets the underlying itch signal itself, rather than simply addressing irritated skin,” she says. “By going straight to the source of what patients struggle with most, it has the potential to deliver meaningful improvements in how they feel and function on a day-to-day basis.”
Looking ahead
As understanding grows around the full impact of chronic skin conditions, advances like Nemluvio® highlight the importance of treating both physical symptoms and the emotional burden that accompanies them. For Canadians living with AD and PN, new therapies that address the root causes of itch may offer something many have long been missing: not just symptom relief, but the chance to reclaim sleep, confidence, and quality of life.
For more information head to www.galderma.com
Nadia Elkharadly
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