PIP for Eczema and Psoriasis - Can You Claim?

Severe eczema and psoriasis go far beyond "dry skin." Cracked, bleeding skin that makes washing agonising. Hands too raw to grip anything. Clothing sticking to weeping wounds. Hours spent applying creams and bandages daily. Sleep destroyed by itching. Yet many people don't claim PIP because they think skin conditions aren't "serious enough." If your skin condition significantly affects your daily life, it is.

Which PIP Activities Are Affected?

Washing and Bathing (Activity 4) - This is often the highest-scoring activity. Water on cracked, broken skin is extremely painful. Soap and shampoo cause stinging. Drying off by rubbing with a towel tears skin. Many people with severe eczema or psoriasis need someone to help apply emollients to unreachable areas, or need to wash in stages because the pain is too intense to do it all at once.

Dressing and Undressing (Activity 6) - Clothing rubbing against affected skin causes pain and bleeding. Bandages and wet wraps need applying before dressing. Buttons and zips are difficult with cracked, painful hands. Choosing clothing that won't irritate skin takes extra time and consideration.

Managing Therapy (Activity 3) - This is where severe skin conditions score heavily. Calculate your daily therapy time: emollient application (often 2-4 times daily, 15-30 minutes each time), steroid creams, bandaging, wet wraps, bath oils, phototherapy sessions, dermatology appointments, blood tests for immunosuppressants. Many people with severe eczema spend 1-2 hours per day on skin management alone.

Preparing Food (Activity 1) - Cracked hands make gripping knives, peeling vegetables, and handling hot items painful and dangerous. Contact with food (especially acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus) burns broken skin. Washing up is agonising.

Engaging with People (Activity 9) - Visible skin conditions cause profound embarrassment and social withdrawal. Depression and anxiety from the appearance and constant discomfort. Many people avoid social situations entirely during flares.

Sleep - While sleep isn't a PIP activity, severe itching that keeps you awake affects EVERY activity the next day through exhaustion. Mention sleep disruption under each activity: "Due to severe itching keeping me awake until 3am, I am too exhausted to [cook/wash/dress/go out] on most days."

Psoriatic Arthritis

If your psoriasis has led to psoriatic arthritis, claim for both conditions. Psoriatic arthritis affects mobility (Activity 12), dressing (Activity 6), food preparation (Activity 1), and managing therapy (Activity 3). The combined scoring is significantly higher than either condition alone.

What Evidence Helps?

• Dermatologist letters with severity scoring (EASI, PASI, or DLQI scores)
• Photos of skin during flares (dated)
• Prescription records showing quantity of emollients and treatments
• Phototherapy records
• Mental health professional letters about psychological impact
• Partner or carer statement describing daily skin care routine