Association between Skin Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Emerging evidence suggests that skin disorders may elevate the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These conditions can negatively impact quality of life, leading to social isolation, behavioral issues, and cognitive challenges associated with ASD. This observational, cross-sectional study utilized an online questionnaire conducted between August 2022 and January 2023 to explore dermatological conditions in individuals with ASD compared to a control group.

The results showed the following:

The study involved 363 individuals with skin conditions, with 189 (52.1%) identified as autistic and 174 (47.9%) as controls.
The ASD group exhibited higher rates of asthma, anxiety, depression, and autoimmune diseases compared to controls.
Additionally, skin, food, and respiratory allergies were significantly more common in the ASD group (50%, 22.2%, and 14.8%, respectively) compared to controls (26.4%, 10.3%, and 7.5%, respectively).
Eczema was the most common condition among controls (15.5%), followed by dry skin (14.9%) and acne (10.3%), all of which were significantly associated with ASD (p < 0.0001).

In conclusion, the findings suggest a significant association between atopic disorders and comorbidities, such as eczema, asthma, and allergies, with ASD. However, a larger population-based study is needed to better understand the prevalence of skin disorders in individuals with ASD and to examine the relationship between these skin conditions and associated comorbidities.

Source: Al-Ayadhi LY, Elamin NE, Madani A, Al-Ghamdi F, Al-Ghamdi HA, Halepoto DM. Examining the Prevalence, Characteristics, and Potential Links Between Skin Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(2):469. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020469

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