Dermatology campaign to focus on eczema prevention

A genetically-induced skin disease, commonest in boys and women shall be the centrepiece campaign of dermatologists in the UAE and a Saudi-Arabia-headquartered pharmaceutical firm, this academic year until July 2026.

The partnership between the Emirates Dermatology Society (EDS) and the Jamjoom Pharma, which has branches in Dubai and Cairo, Egypt, was formalised with the July 4 signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the capital, way ahead of the “ECZPLORE” September launch.

It is “ECZPLORE” because the campaign is about eczema.

EDS president Dr. Ayman Al Naeem told Gulf Today on Friday: “Eczema has become one of the most pressing skin health issues in the UAE. It affects one in five children and often gets worse, because of the heat, the humidity and the air-conditioning; generally our climate.”

Referring to the EDS data, when enquired regarding the youngest and oldest patients, the gender ratio, and the prevalence in the country’s multi-racial landscape, Al Naeem said: “The condition can appear as early as the first few weeks of life, although such an early onset is rare.”

Rare too, it is, among septuagenarians and octogenarians who have been found to also be suffering from the disease, which counts “environmental factors” namely “allergens, climate, stress and irritants,” particularly those with “family history and mutations in skin barrier genes like filaggrin,” a protein – a as a cause.

These, as in the “Atopic Dermatitis Insights on Global Prevalence, Health Care Implications and the Impact of COVID-19,” Kyung Hee University College of Medicine (Seoul, South Korea) medical student-researcher Jiyen Oh, noted that by 2050, global incidence would be at 148 million cases “with minimal change in the prevalence rate.”

The research was published in “The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.” Oh studied the co-relation of eczema, otherwise known as Atopic Dermatitis, with asthma and COVID-19. Oh wrote that the skin disease shall have higher incidences in “high-income countries likely influenced by environmental factors, urbanisation and better diagnostic capabilities.”

Al Naeem pointed out that a campaign is crucial because “beyond the skin, eczema affects how children sleep, play, learn and interact. For many families, it is a daily emotional and physical struggle.”

Jamjoom Pharma-Gulf/Levant/Export Markets general manager Dr. Samer Lezzaiq said they are looking forward at partnerships with relevant authorities and educational institutions even as “five major schools across the five largest cities in the UAE will be targeted.”

“This campaign is a national call to action designed to reach over one million individuals through digital platforms, schools and on-ground events,” Lezzaiq added, stressing that these are necessary; for, apart from the basic general knowledge, “guidance on lifestyle modifications” are key to help patients and their households.

“Selection of the five major schools will be randomised. Primary targets are children between two and 12 years old,” said Lezzaiq.

He answered in the negative when asked if secondary and tertiary educational institutions were included, as teenagers and young adults may be eczema sufferers as well: “The age group most affected are the ages two and 12. Secondary schools, colleges, and universities fall outside of the current scope.”

From Al Naeem: “The highest prevalence is typically seen during childhood. In terms of gender distribution, it is more common in boys. This trend shifts in adulthood, with a higher prevalence observed in women.”

He repeated Lezzaiq’s mention of alterations in lifestyle, pointing out that while “eczema is not fully preventable, its onset and flare-ups can be significantly reduced” through stress management, early treatment, avoiding triggers, and maintaining a healthy skin barrier with the use of breathable clothing and moisturisers to protect the skin barrier.

Other highlights of the MoU, the signing of which was witnessed by EDS vice president Dr. Muna Al Murrawi and EDS-Scientific Committee head Dr. Fatima Albreiki:

n The delivery of educational tools which include colouring books to help understand their condition while storybooks foster empathy and hope.

n The delivery of lifestyle magazines and quick guides for families, caregivers and other support individuals to complete lifestyle modification among the patients.

n The delivery of resources and other materials for healthcare professionals.