What is Eczema
Eczema affects around 6 million children and 2.5 million adults in Australia and can be well managed with a comprehensive treatment plan of home care, prescriptions and phototherapy in most cases.
Eczema
Eczema affects around 6 million children and 2.5 million adults in Australia and can be well managed with a comprehensive treatment plan of home care, prescriptions and phototherapy in most cases.
About Eczema
Eczema, or dermatitis, is a common condition that results in a barrier dysfunction of the skin. In various forms, it affects up to 25% of children and 10% of adults. Patients with eczema present with itchy rashes, which may involve any area of the body. There may be a genetic component to this condition, with patients often having other family members with eczema.
Some with eczema may have an allergic tendency, especially if they have ‘Atopic Dermatitis’. There may also be an increased association with ‘allergic’ conditions such as asthma, hayfever, allergic conjunctivitis.
Eczema often starts in infancy or early childhood, and even though many patients may spontaneously improve as they grow into adolescence, some will continue having flares in adulthood.
The skin barrier of eczema patients is compromised, meaning that where normal skin will keep moisture in and bacteria out, the skin of eczema patients has microscopic ‘cracks’ that let moisture out and allow bacteria in.
The ‘cracks’ in your skin as well as the drying out of your skin due to moisture loss, lead to flaking, itchy patches on the surface. Inflammation proceeds, causing red-rashes, and infection may set in with weeping and crust.
Patients with eczema have very sensitive skin, and are more prone to irritation, allergies and flares. The right skin care can play a tremendous role in minimising these problems occurring.
In children, eczema flares can disturb sleep patterns due to itching and discomfort, leading to behavioural issues from lack of sleep which then can lead to longer term developmental issues.
Hence the management of childhood eczema can be much more critical and with longer term impacts than simply addressing (or ignoring!) a skin flare at the time.
Learning to manage your eczema in childhood will then allow you to improve your quality of life, and you will also have great routines that will allow you to manage your flares in adulthood as well!
Eczema in adults may be linked to anxiety and depression, hence our goal to provide clear treatment support and relief to improve quality of life for eczema patients. For most people, eczema cannot be ‘cured’, but for most, and with our support, we can provide the information, skills and treatment that will help you maintain your skin long-term.
References
1. van Zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, Christensen R, Lavrijsen APM, Arents BWM. Emollients and moisturisers for eczema. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD012119. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012119.pub2.
2. Fennessy M, Coupland S, Popay J, Naysmith K. The epidemiology and experience of atopic eczema during childhood: a discussion paper on the implications of current knowledge for health care, public health policy and research. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2000;54(8):581-589. doi:10.1136/jech.54.8.581
3. Schonmann Y, Mansfield KE, Hayes JF, et al. Atopic Eczema in Adulthood and Risk of Depression and Anxiety: A Population-Based Cohort Study. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020;8(1):248-257.e16. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2019.08.030
4. Ghio D, Muller I, Greenwell K, et al. ‘It’s like the bad guy in a movie who just doesn’t die’: a qualitative exploration of young people’s adaptation to eczema and implications for self-care. Br J Dermatol. 2020;182(1):112-118. doi:10.1111/bjd.18046
5 Abuabara K, Magyari A, McCulloch CE, Linos E, Margolis DJ, Langan SM. Prevalence of Atopic Eczema Among Patients Seen in Primary Care: Data From The Health Improvement Network. Ann Intern Med. 2019 Mar 5;170(5):354-356. doi: 10.7326/M18-2246. Epub 2018 Dec 4. PMID: 30508419; PMCID: PMC6548682.
6 Lee JH, Son SW, Cho SH. A Comprehensive Review of the Treatment of Atopic Eczema. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016 May;8(3):181-90. doi: 10.4168/aair.2016.8.3.181. PMID: 26922927; PMCID: PMC4773205.
7 Lee JH, Kim JE, Park GH, et al. Consensus Update for Systemic Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis. Ann Dermatol. 2021;33(6):497-514. doi:10.5021/ad.2021.33.6.497
8 Ladda M, Doiron P. Addressing topical corticosteroid phobia in atopic dermatitis: The role of the pharmacist. Can Pharm J (Ott). 2021;154(2):71-73. Published 2021 Feb 20. doi:10.1177/1715163521991577
9 Yum HY, Kim HH, Kim HJ, et al. Current Management of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Survey of Allergists, Pediatric Allergists and Dermatologists in Korea. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018;10(3):253-259. doi:10.4168/aair.2018.10.3.253
10 Chu H, Shin JU, Park CO, Lee H, Lee J, Lee KH. Clinical Diversity of Atopic Dermatitis: A Review of 5,000 Patients at a Single Institute. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2017;9(2):158-168. doi:10.4168/aair.2017.9.2.158
11 D.J.MatthewA.P.NormanB.Taylor1M.W.TurnefJ.F.Soothili. The prevention of eczema – couldn’t download pdf but would be interesting
12 Cable J, Schernhammer E, Hanlon EC, Vetter C, Cedernaes J, Makarem N, Dashti HS, Shechter A, Depner C, Ingiosi A, Blume C, Tan X, Gottlieb E, Benedict C, Van Cauter E, St-Onge MP. Sleep and circadian rhythms: pillars of health-a Keystone Symposia report. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2021 Dec;1506(1):18-34. doi: 10.1111/nyas.14661. Epub 2021 Aug 2. PMID: 34341993; PMCID: PMC8688158.
13 D’Ippolito D, Pisano M. Dupilumab (Dupixent): An Interleukin-4 Receptor Antagonist for Atopic Dermatitis. P T. 2018;43(9):532-535
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