More than 60% of atopic dermatitis is combined with asthma and rhinitis! Doctor: Early treatment is the most important to prevent "breaks"
Potential number exceeds one million? More than 60% of atopic dermatitis is combined with asthma and rhinitis
Atopic dermatitis is a skin inflammation that causes dryness, redness, and unbearable itching. It is more common in childhood. According to health insurance data, about 370,000 people in Taiwan seek medical treatment for atopic dermatitis every year. However, Dr. Zhu Jiayu, chairman of the Atopic Dermatitis Patients Association, pointed out that many atopic dermatitis patients seek folk remedies but do not receive correct treatment. The actual number of people suffering from atopic dermatitis may be 2-3 times that of medical consultations.
Atopic dermatitis not only affects the appearance of the skin, but may also lead to a decrease in sleep, mood, and work ability, causing impact on the family and society at all levels. Patients are prone to develop physical and mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, and depression. Long-term skin inflammation is also prone to other comorbidities. About 2/3 of patients also suffer from allergic rhinitis, food allergies, asthma and other problems.
Dr. Zhu Jiayu reminded that atopic dermatitis is a chronic and easily relapsing inflammatory disease. About 1/2 to 1/3 of patients who develop the disease in childhood will continue into adulthood. In the early days, the general public did not have enough knowledge about atopic dermatitis. Many patients and family members believed that “it will get better naturally when they grow up.” This led to them taking it lightly in childhood. Once they enter adulthood, it can easily evolve into moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Outpatient long-term follow-up treatment.
Atopic dermatitis should be treated early to avoid skin “breaks” from getting worse
Dr. Zhu Jiayu reminds that if there are children with atopic dermatitis at home, parents must have the correct concept of “early treatment”. If a child is not properly cared for from the time the disease occurs between the ages of 1 and 2 until puberty in his teens, it will easily lead to chronic inflammation of the skin, leading to a large number of “breaks” on the skin surface. Allergens are more likely to penetrate the skin and be absorbed percutaneously, increasing the severity of the disease. risk.
“Even mild atopic dermatitis requires serious treatment at the age of 1-4. It is easier to alleviate and improve after entering puberty!”
Dr. Zhu Jiayu pointed out that clinical evidence shows that children who are not properly cared for early on can have 1-2 types of allergens that increase to more than 20 types when they grow up, showing that failure to treat them correctly will cause continued damage to the child’s skin. Once it progresses to moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, you should actively receive standard medical treatment and do not seek folk remedies to avoid worsening of symptoms.
Nearly 50% have experienced discrimination and bullying! Atopic dermatitis has a great impact on society and family
Atopic dermatitis not only affects physiology, but may also cause great trouble to patients’ lives, work, and relationships. According to a survey by the Atopic Dermatitis Patients Association, about 48% of patients have been discriminated against, excluded or verbally bullied, and more than 30% feel that their mood and interpersonal relationships have been affected. Coupled with the financial burden of daily care and medical out-of-pocket expenses, the physical and mental pressure faced by patients with atopic dermatitis is even more severe.
In addition to treatment covered by health insurance, patients with atopic dermatitis need to bear their own expenses including deductibles, transportation expenses, nutritional supplements, moisturizing products, etc. The more serious the disease, the greater the financial burden. About 30% of moderately and severely ill patients spend more than 100,000 yuan per year, and many of them use new drugs at their own expense.
The theme of World Atopic Dermatitis Day 2022 is “Inside Atopic Eczema”. In addition to raising public awareness of the disease, it also calls on the public to understand the physical and mental burden of patients. Dr. Zhu Jiayu said that the losses caused by atopic dermatitis to society and families are greater and more extensive than the public imagination. He hopes that more advanced drugs will be included in the payment in the future to help effectively treat and control atopic dermatitis, delay the progression of the disease, and improve patients’ lives, reducing the care burden on families and society.
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