Eczema News
National Awareness Program Launched For Eczema Sufferers
Montreal, Quebec – May 17, 2002 – Canadians suffering from eczema will now be able to access information on how to better manage their condition through the Eczema Awareness, Support and Education Program (EASE). The incidence of eczema has nearly tripled since 1970. This, coupled with the chronic and recurring nature of the disease, has made it difficult for physicians to treat and frustrating for patients and their caregivers. The awareness program has been developed with the assistance of leading Canadian dermatologists whose clinical experience and research have revealed the information gaps that patients have when it comes to medical therapy, compliance with medication and overall disease management.
The EASE Program was developed in order to fill the need for accurate, non-commercial educational resources to help adults and children who suffer from this life-altering skin condition. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common but serious, chronic disease affecting over one million children and adults in Canada. It is characterized by painfully red, swollen, itchy, and flaky skin. In some cases the itching and redness is so serious and intense that sufferers can scratch themselves until they bleed, increasing the risk of secondary infection.
"Eczema is difficult to treat because the condition is chronic and chronically recurring," explains Dr. Richard Langley MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Dalhousie University and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. "Because there is no cure for eczema, treatments often have to be used for prolonged periods of time, and side effects are often a concern to patients and physicians."
Eczema can produce severe psychological effects. Emotional factors such as stress can influence and worsen the condition. For sufferers, especially children and teenagers, the visibility of eczema flares on exposed parts of the body can lead to low self-esteem and often the inability to interact with others.
Even though there is no cure for eczema, it can be treated. Medical science has recently discovered a new class of therapy called topical calcineurin inhibitors that appears to target the origin of the inflammation and itching associated with eczema. Dermatologists are predicting that these new therapies will fundamentally change the way they treat eczema, offering patients a fast-acting, safe and effective treatment without the traditional side effects of topical steroid treatments. In addition to compliance with medical treatment, eczema patients may want to make certain lifestyle changes such as avoiding the triggers that cause eczema flare-ups.
The EASE Program has been developed as a community service through an unrestricted educational grant from Fujisawa Canada, a research-based pharmaceutical company. "The Canadian Dermatology Association has encouraged the pharmaceutical industry to take an active role in helping to educate the public about skin disease," said Barbara Reynolds, Product Director, for Fujisawa Canada. "We are delighted to join forces with the medical community, pharmacists and other health care professionals in facilitating the creation of support mechanisms and more importantly, a multi-faceted patient education program. Eczema is physically and emotionally painful, and we believe that the EASE program will become a valuable tool for eczema patients and their caregivers."
One of the key features of the patient education program is its Web site www.eczemacanada.ca, the first and most complete Canadian Web site solely dedicated to eczema. It includes valuable information on recognizing the symptoms associated with eczema, treatment options and tips on how to cope with the condition for children and adults. In addition, a special section of the Web site called "Ask the Doctor" allows visitors to have questions answered by well-known dermatologists.
In addition to receiving information electronically, material can be obtained at no cost by calling the EASE info-line at 1-866-432-0362 (1-866-4-ECZEMA).
This information can help you take control of eczema right now!
