Launch of World Eczema Day events at Jaber Hospital on Monday
Under the patronage of Dr. Nada Al-Hassan, Director of Jabir Al-Ahmad Hospital, the Dermatology Department will organize an awareness day tomorrow, Monday, in observance of World Eczema Day. Dr. Mohammed Al-Attiyah, Head of the Dermatology Department at the hospital, stated that atopic dermatitis is a common condition affecting both adults and children. He added that the prevalence of the disease among children ranges between 20% and 25%, while it affects 3% to 5% of adults.
Dr. Al-Attiyah explained that the objective of the event is to highlight atopic dermatitis, its diagnostic methods, and treatment options. He emphasized that awareness is generally an effective means of managing diseases and increasing recovery rates, noting that psychological stress exacerbates the severity of symptoms due to the relationship between nerve cells and those influencing immune responses.
He outlined that there are treatments for eczema, including topical therapy using topical corticosteroids and non-corticosteroid medications, as well as phototherapy. He pointed out that in recent years, biological drugs, whether administered via injection or orally, have proven effective in a short period without any side effects.
Dr. Al-Attiyah reviewed the types of eczema, stating that nummular eczema appears as distinct, round or oval red patches covered with resinous scales or small vesicles, typically affecting the arms, thighs, or trunk, and is usually seen in older adults. He described microcystic eczema as an eczematous reaction occurring in the skin adjacent to nummular eczema. Varicose eczema appears on the lower legs in patients with varicose veins, though it can also occur without varicosities. Pompholyx, or dyshidrotic eczema, is a type of eczema of unknown cause that takes an acute form, affecting the fingers, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.
Regarding dry eczema, he explained that it is a type of eczema affecting older adults due to dryness resulting from reduced sebum gland secretion at that stage of life. Dryness worsens in winter, especially when sweat secretion decreases, leading to skin dryness and superficial cracks. This cracking is accompanied by mild redness in affected areas such as the legs, abdomen, thighs, and forearms, along with itching.
Another type, known as “housewives’ eczema,” is the most common among homemakers. It affects the hands due to prolonged exposure to chemical substances found in detergents. The condition begins with dryness and redness of the fingers, followed by scaling and skin cracking.
