Judy Tutkaluk’s earliest memory is lying in bed with her legs itching and burning. Her mother had rigged an old metal Electrolux vacuum to blow cool air out, rather than sucking it in, in an effort to give her some relief. That only went so far.
Atopic dermatitis (AD, also known as eczema) affects an estimated 17% of Canadians,[1] including Tutkaluk, and is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that results in dry and intensely itchy skin.[2]
Almost nine in 10 respondents to a recent survey[3] by the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance who had severe or very severe AD reported their condition had a moderate negative effect on their overall quality of life. Beyond making daily tasks challenging, respondents said AD had a negative effect on their confidence levels (35%), mental health and emotional well-being (31%), and social outings (24%).
Tutkaluk says the worst thing about it is that the symptoms are inescapable. “During a flare-up, nothing — absolutely nothing that I was aware of or had tried — could ease the itch and/or pain.”
At home, warm water burned, aggravating open cuts and triggering “weeping” skin, with little bumps forming that, when rubbed, would leak liquid and then develop into new cuts. Soap could be even worse, requiring Tutkaluk to carefully select the mildest brands and never to risk unknown soaps in restaurants, stores and gas stations. Hand sanitizer wasn’t ever an option, even if alcohol-free.
Rubber gloves helped while washing dishes or cleaning the house, but if they got hot, the weeping cycle would start. Cotton gloves inside rubber gloves delayed the reaction but didn’t stop it. Even contact with food — from tomatoes and potatoes to meat and fruit — would trigger red skin and itchiness. Tutkaluk would wear non-medical latex or nitrile gloves every time she prepared a meal.
Whatever she was doing, she would often find herself unconsciously rubbing her hands — against a chair’s upholstery, against her slacks and shorts or against each other. Her husband would notice and ask if her hands were bothering her. They always were.
There wasn’t even relief in sleep. She would wake up at frequent intervals to discover she was scratching her hands. To protect her skin, she wore cotton gloves to bed. This was particularly important because some of the topical ointments she used for relief thinned her skin and made it more prone to damage.
At work, Tutkaluk’s discomfort was even less bearable because there was an added layer of embarrassment. She hated that her condition progressed into her nails, deforming them and prompting people to ask if she had a fungal infection.
As a law clerk, her duties included typing, which was often painful because of cracks on her fingertips. Adhesive bandages made it difficult to type and, worse, caused her skin to heat up and weep. Without Band-Aids, however, she would leave bloodstains on documents — sometimes without even realizing it.
“I always hoped no one noticed my hands, but it did happen. Then I would have to endure pity talk or listen to the various ‘cures’ that their relative, friend or neighbour experienced using such-and-such cream or such-and-such method or by taking such-and-such vitamin,” she says. “They meant well, but all I wanted to do was hide under a rock.”
Keeping symptoms under control
Over time, Tutkaluk identified a collection of triggers, some easier to avoid than others. These included any change in temperature (external or internal), physical or mental stress, eating or touching certain foods (especially when raw), licks from a dog or cat and wearing wool. It’s an expansive list, but absolutely necessary so she can preserve as much quality of life as possible.
In his practice, Dr. Charles Lynde says patients tell him about physical AD symptoms such as pain and dry and flaky skin, as well as chronic itch — but these symptoms lead to other challenges such as lack of sleep, inability to concentrate and inability to go to work or school.
He adds that available treatments can ease symptoms by 75% to 90% in most patients, and 100% in some, but advanced therapies are expensive for patients unless covered by the government or employer-sponsored plans.
“Advanced therapies [are] highly effective and can greatly control skin clearance and itch symptoms of the disease, giving people their life back,” says Dr. Lynde.
Tutkaluk spent years trying out prescription topical creams and ointments, antihistamines and an immunosuppressant (which helped but had a negative impact on her liver) to treat her AD flares. Like 79% of respondents in the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance survey, she found the treatments she was taking were ineffective and did not provide consistent and long-term relief.
“It felt like there was no medical option for any relief. [However,] my skin is finally under control with a biologic treatment,” she says.
Just 6% of surveyed patients were currently using a biologic treatment, administered through an injection, but more than half (55%) wanted to try one because they were dissatisfied with their current treatment. Notably, patients were seeking a solution that supports long-term management of their condition (43%). A biologic has the potential to treat inflammation in a more targeted way and to provide longer-term relief.
Four in five (80%) surveyed patients agreed it’s critical to make several reimbursed biologic treatments available, given the diverse presentation and progression of AD symptoms.
“Not all therapies work for everyone. [We] need to have alternatives,” says Dr. Lynde, adding that employers who offer broad coverage of AD treatments can expect lower absenteeism while supporting employees’ health and quality of life.
The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance provides education, resources and advocacy for patients with skin conditions such as AD. Visit canadianskin.ca to learn more.
This article was sponsored by Eli Lilly Canada Inc.
[1] https://canadianskin.ca/images/Documents/Atopic_report/CSPA_Atopic_Dermatitis_report_Feb_2_2018_FINAL_.pdf
[2] https://eczemahelp.ca/about-eczema/
[3] Harris Poll Canada. Atopic Dermatitis Survey, July 2025. A survey of 1,055 Canadians commissioned by Eli Lilly Canada Inc. and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance was completed online between June 28 and July 18, 2025.