Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a recurring, non-infectious, inflammatory skin condition that affects one in three (almost six million) Australians at some stage of their lives.
The prevalence of eczema has increased two- to three-fold in recent years, with research showing the increase is linked to a range of environmental factors.1
Cheryl Talent, President of the Eczema Association of Australasia (EAA), says eczema is a common disease of increasing prevalence with the potential to cause significant problems for the affected individual, and its impact is extremely onerous for the family and economically burdensome for society.
“The potential for psychosocial difficulties makes it clear that people with eczema and their families need more than just the physical treatment of symptoms,” she told Retail Pharmacy.
“Because constant scratching can maintain or aggravate skin inflammation, educational and psychosocial support for patients and their families in addition to medical treatment may improve the long-term physical outcomes.”
Stress and frustration
Educational programs on eczema have shown that both parent education and psychosocial support are helpful in reducing eczema-related stress, increasing confidence in managing the skin disease and decreasing its severity.
These types of programs may be as important as, and potentially more cost-effective than, developing new medical treatments for the disease, says Ms Talent.
“Because eczema isn’t usually life-threatening except in certain instances, families often don’t receive potentially useful educational or psychosocial support, which can lead to further stress and frustration,” she said.
Comorbidities
The impacts of eczema go beyond skin deep. Ms Talent says the comorbid conditions and symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis continue to grow.
They include sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, allergy-associated diseases, allergic skin rash, skin infection, alopecia areata and bone density loss, and possible cardiovascular and neurological associations, among others.
“Many researchers and healthcare providers are now reframing discussion of atopic dermatitis as not skin-based alone, but as a chronic, systemic disease2,” she said.
An expensive disease
Significant financial cost is also involved when living with eczema.3
Ms Talent says EAA members can spend up to $7000 a year on treating the condition, which over the course of a lifetime can amount to $280,000 or more.
Most of this cost is attributed to skin care measures, time off work, healthcare visits and potential complementary medicinal approaches before seeing a dermatologist.
“We know it’s a very expensive skin disease to manage, and the EAA is calling on government bodies to provide more support for sufferers and their carers through the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” she said.
Raising awareness
In the lead-up to Eczema Awareness Day and World Atopic Eczema Day (14 September), the EAA is running a campaign with a focus on teenagers and young adults who are soon to be or are financially independent.
“People who develop eczema as children often have their management paid for and taken care of by a parent, loved one or carer, and feel daunted about taking this on themselves,” Ms Talent said.
“This campaign will aim to bring awareness to how the condition affects young people at school, or at university, and speak directly to a youth audience, with tips such as how to budget – specifically around eczema costs – how to manage your condition at school, easy ways to tell people about your eczema, how to find a support network and materials, and assets that can guide you through this difficult time.”
The people-led social and digital campaign will encourage young people to speak about their eczema using the hashtag #OwnYourEczema. A landing page will direct them to a hub that gives access to useful resources (created using support from healthcare professionals, EAA’s corporate partners, and institutions such as the Australasian College of Dermatologists). A petition will also call for more support for young people living with eczema
“Pharmacies can become involved by directing patients to the EAA website eczema.org.au or their social media platforms: Facebook @eczemaau, Twitter @eczemaau, Instagram @eczemaau or TikTok @eczemaau,” Ms Talent said.
“Pharmacies can also request a display poster and copies of the EAA brochure ‘Caring for your Eczema’ by emailing help@eczema.org.au or calling 1300 300 182 to help spread awareness of the condition and the help available from the EAA.”
References
- Lieberman P, Anderson JA. Allergic Diseases, Diagnosis and Treatment 2nd Ed, Humana Press, New Jersey, US.
This feature was originally published in the September issue of Retail Pharmacy magazine.
