Allergic Diseases To Overtake Infectious Diseases In Developing Countries

Filed Under Eczema Treatment, Eczema Facts, Eczema News, Eczema Allergy, Eczema Child | Leave a Comment

With the start of a new year, most of us would wish for better health and less pervalene of diseases in the world. However, going by the latest research study tracking the number of cases of childhood eczema, this does not seem the situation. Not at least for allergic diseases.

Experts are warning policy makers that allergic disease might replace infectious disease as a major cause of ill health in cities undergoing rapid demographic changes in developing countries. The cause of eczema in these cities is blamed on environmental factors.

In developed countries like the UK and New Zealand, where childhood eczema was once pervalent, the number of [tag-tec]eczema[/tag-tec] cases in children are levelling off. However, it is those in the developing countries that are showing rapid increases in the number of children having skin problems. These countries include Mexico, Chile, Kenya, Algeria and 7 countries in Southeast Asia. Environmental factors are cited as the reason as it is highly unlikely that genetic factors would change in such a short time.

If environmental factors are said to be the cause of eczema, then this becomes a matter of public health. Severe [tag-dtec]eczema[/tag-dtec] can reduce the quality of life for patients suffering from constant itching and scratching. More needs to be done by the governments around before more of our children suffer.

Industrialization can bring in money and hope to developing countries but let’s not forget that there may be a social cost involved. I have no doubt that pollution to the air and/or to the water is a significant environmental factor that contributes to the cause of eczema.

News Source

May

18

Living With Eczema Stats

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About ISOLATE Study
The following stats came from the ISOLATE study, which assessed the impact of Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, on the lives of those living with it and how patients and caregivers manage the condition.

The global study was comprised of interviews with 2,002 patients from eight countries over the age of 13, and caregivers of children between the ages of 2-13, with moderate to severe eczema.

Study Results
- On average, 55% of patients are either always or sometimes worried about the next eczema flare and 51% are either always or sometimes unhappy/depressed

- On average, 86% of patients avoid at least one type of everyday activity during a flare-up

- 75% of caregivers and patients feel that being able to effectively control eczema would be the single most important improvement to their or their child’s quality of life

- On average, 43% of patients are fairly or very concerned about being seen in public during an eczema flare

- The most commonly affected part of the body in patients during eczema flares was the face and neck regardless of age, gender or severity

- On average, patients take 2.5 days off school or work per year due to eczema and a further 9% of the time their concentration is affected at school or work while in flare

- 74% of patients and caregivers state that their physicians have never discussed the emotional impact that eczema has had on their lives

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