This summer, know the struggles of people #LivingWithEczema

dubai — With summer setting in, doctors are raising people’s awareness of a skin condition that a lot of UAE residents have to live with — eczema or atopic dermatitis. It’s a disease that can be aggravated with the onset of the hot weather.

Although eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in the country, it is often overlooked and its effects on one’s mental health and social life are usually underestimated.

This is why the Emirates Dermatology Society (EDS) on Monday launched a nationwide campaign called #LivingWithEczema, bringing together policy-makers, specialists, healthcare practitioners and thought leaders to discuss how the awareness gaps can be addressed.

Eczema is a “chronic, immunemediated disease” that affects 10 to 25 per cent of children and around 10 to 20 per cent of adults globally, said Dr Anwar Al Hammadi, consultant dermatologist and president of the EDS.

It is a condition that can affect a person’s quality of life, sleep, mood, psychological behaviour, and can even lead to low self-esteem and isolation, he said.

Imagine not being able to sleep properly for almost all your life; having the constant urge to scratch in public; not being able to wear clothes, jewellery or even makeup

of your choice — this is the reality that people with eczema have to live with.

The side effects can be too tough to bear sometimes that some patients fall into depression, Dr Al Hammadi said.

“Our aim is to own the conversation and help lift the current stigma around the condition,” he said.

Talking about the causes of the non-contagious disease, Dr Al Hammadi said: “I usually don’t see single patient coming to report the condition, but I mostly see them coming to see me in groups. This is because eczema is hereditary where more than one family member is affected by it.

“This is why we see siblings or family members coming together. The main complaint is chronic itching, and patients with eczema often come with other accompanying diseases, such as bronchial asthma, allergies and sinusitis. And, sometimes, the treatment of one issue can help in controlling the other group of diseases as well.”

A first-of-its-kind nationwide initiative, #LivingWithEczema aims to raise awareness of the impact of eczema. It has been established to support people who are suffering from the condition.

It is set to reach the local community via a dedicated Facebook and Instagram page through the hashtag #LivingWithEczema.