Patients’ preferences on atopic dermatitis skincare and social media use: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease with a complex pathophysiology, necessitating strict therapeutic management. Over-the-counter products play a crucial role in AD treatment. The emergence of social media (SM) as a vast information source for skincare and he...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21640-8 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1823861514733355008 |
|---|---|
| author | Roxana Mazilu Stefanie Ziehfreund Stephan Traidl Alexander Zink |
| author_facet | Roxana Mazilu Stefanie Ziehfreund Stephan Traidl Alexander Zink |
| author_sort | Roxana Mazilu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease with a complex pathophysiology, necessitating strict therapeutic management. Over-the-counter products play a crucial role in AD treatment. The emergence of social media (SM) as a vast information source for skincare and healthy lifestyle has transformed its role from mere entertainment. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of AD patients towards SM as an information source for their AD products, understand their purchase behavior, and identify unmet needs. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with AD patients recruited from a university hospital in Southern Germany and social media networks. The interviews took place between November 2022 and January 2023. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Mayring’s qualitative content analysis. Results A total of ten patients (3 men, 7 women) aged 23–42 years were interviewed. Participants reported new perspectives in four categories: opportunities and advantages of SM as information source for AD products, risks and disadvantages, important aspects for patients’ choice of AD products, and extent and purpose of SM use in selecting AD skincare. Conclusions Patients exhibit diverse patterns of SM use when selecting daily products and critically evaluate the online content, demonstrating a greater trust in healthcare professionals or familial connections. Electronic word-of-mouth, disease severity and prior product experiences emerge as prevalent factors influencing patients’ product selection. Furthermore, female patients express interest in complementary and alternative therapies as part of an integrative therapeutical approach. Understanding patients’ needs and preferences regarding AD skincare can inform physicians in recommending more personalized therapies. Additionally, educational interventions on SM, addressing patients’ questions and concerns with evidence-based information, hold the potential for beneficial outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ea9f76b5a5c34ea392b6aac14013eed7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-ea9f76b5a5c34ea392b6aac14013eed72025-02-09T12:58:43ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-02-012511810.1186/s12889-025-21640-8Patients’ preferences on atopic dermatitis skincare and social media use: a qualitative studyRoxana Mazilu0Stefanie Ziehfreund1Stephan Traidl2Alexander Zink3Department of Dermatology and Allergy, School of Medicine, Technical University of MunichDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy, School of Medicine, Technical University of MunichDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy, School of Medicine, Technical University of MunichAbstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease with a complex pathophysiology, necessitating strict therapeutic management. Over-the-counter products play a crucial role in AD treatment. The emergence of social media (SM) as a vast information source for skincare and healthy lifestyle has transformed its role from mere entertainment. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of AD patients towards SM as an information source for their AD products, understand their purchase behavior, and identify unmet needs. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with AD patients recruited from a university hospital in Southern Germany and social media networks. The interviews took place between November 2022 and January 2023. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Mayring’s qualitative content analysis. Results A total of ten patients (3 men, 7 women) aged 23–42 years were interviewed. Participants reported new perspectives in four categories: opportunities and advantages of SM as information source for AD products, risks and disadvantages, important aspects for patients’ choice of AD products, and extent and purpose of SM use in selecting AD skincare. Conclusions Patients exhibit diverse patterns of SM use when selecting daily products and critically evaluate the online content, demonstrating a greater trust in healthcare professionals or familial connections. Electronic word-of-mouth, disease severity and prior product experiences emerge as prevalent factors influencing patients’ product selection. Furthermore, female patients express interest in complementary and alternative therapies as part of an integrative therapeutical approach. Understanding patients’ needs and preferences regarding AD skincare can inform physicians in recommending more personalized therapies. Additionally, educational interventions on SM, addressing patients’ questions and concerns with evidence-based information, hold the potential for beneficial outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21640-8Atopic dermatitisConsumer behaviorSkin careSocial mediaQualitative researchPublic health |
| spellingShingle | Roxana Mazilu Stefanie Ziehfreund Stephan Traidl Alexander Zink Patients’ preferences on atopic dermatitis skincare and social media use: a qualitative study BMC Public Health Atopic dermatitis Consumer behavior Skin care Social media Qualitative research Public health |
| title | Patients’ preferences on atopic dermatitis skincare and social media use: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Patients’ preferences on atopic dermatitis skincare and social media use: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Patients’ preferences on atopic dermatitis skincare and social media use: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patients’ preferences on atopic dermatitis skincare and social media use: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Patients’ preferences on atopic dermatitis skincare and social media use: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | patients preferences on atopic dermatitis skincare and social media use a qualitative study |
| topic | Atopic dermatitis Consumer behavior Skin care Social media Qualitative research Public health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21640-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT roxanamazilu patientspreferencesonatopicdermatitisskincareandsocialmediauseaqualitativestudy AT stefanieziehfreund patientspreferencesonatopicdermatitisskincareandsocialmediauseaqualitativestudy AT stephantraidl patientspreferencesonatopicdermatitisskincareandsocialmediauseaqualitativestudy AT alexanderzink patientspreferencesonatopicdermatitisskincareandsocialmediauseaqualitativestudy |