The skin it irritates, itches and hurts. The discomfort that it causes interferes at work, at school, at leisure and even in sleep: atopic dermatitis decreases the quality of life -and it was further reduced in the pandemic- and therefore timely diagnosis and treatment they are key.
To try to favor and expedite them, five medical and patient associations launched the “First campaign of free detection of atopic dermatitis “, which during this week provides free appointments for consultations with professionals that will be effective between December 6 and 10 (see below).
What is the atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by frequent outbreaks, severe itching, irritation, pain, redness, scabs, and infections. Its origin is multifactorial and involves genetic and environmental factors, immunological alterations and problems in the function of the skin barrier.
It is a very frequent disorder, it is estimated that it is the third most prevalent disease in childhood and that its incidence tripled in the last 30 yearssays Paula Luna, a dermatologist at the Hospital Alemán y del Ramos Mejía and a member of the Board of Directors of the Argentine Society of Psoriasis (SOARPSO), one of the entities promoting the campaign.
“Although we do not yet have local numbers, in general terms we know that it affects 15% to 30% of children and 1% to 3% of adults,” he says.
“It is a condition of the skin, a characteristic, that leads it to be dry, to have a tendency to generate eczema and itching and that, later, in genetically predisposed individuals, it can activate the inflammatory pathways that perpetuate the condition “, he explains.
Paula Boggio, president of the Pediatric Dermatology Society for Latin America and a pediatric dermatologist at the Italian Hospital, warns that attention should be paid to the appearance of the first symptoms. Eczema, he explains, “are red and scaly skin lesionss, sometimes moist, that are accompanied by a lot of itching and evolve into shoots. “
Atopic dermatitis presents with flare-ups and remissions. “This means that it is not always the same or stable; it is in the nature of atopic dermatitis to come back. We can’t heal her, but we have the possibility of improving it and doing many things to keep it under control and make it as uncomfortable as possible “, Luna reassures.
Meanwhile, Boggio underlines the importance of accessing an early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and identifying -if they exist- comorbidities (associated diseases) to the condition. Is that the underlying disorder of atopic dermatitis is a inflammatory process, which can be a trigger for other diseases.
The disease presents with outbreaks and remissions. Photo Shutterstock.
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Atopic dermatitis and allergies
“Atopic dermatitis often has a allergic profile. In the first years of life, atopic dermatitis may appear and then develop other allergic manifestations such as food, rhinitis and / or asthma “, points out in that sense Pablo Moreno, allergist and President of the Argentine Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AAAeIC).
And it highlights that if the patient with dermatitis has other comorbidities, they should not be neglected.
“If we only focus on improving his atopic dermatitis,” he maintains, “we will not achieve Improve your quality of life. If a patient has asthma and it is not taken into account, their lung function will be affected. The same if you have allergic rhinitis and it is not treated: your quality of life will be affected. It should be considered that these patients not only have skin disorders, but also present disorders at the level of their breathing, for example. “
They estimate that it affects 15% to 30% of children.
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Free screening campaign
“This campaign has, among other objectives, to be able to reach patients who otherwise they would not have access to the specialized medical consultation, “says Boggio.
The goal of the “First Atopic Dermatitis Free Screening Campaign” is to promote early diagnosis, which can help improve the quality of life of people with the disease.
In this framework, until December 3 there will be a week of assigning shifts through www.pedirturno.com.ar or by calling 0800 222 3776, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The effective service will take place from December 6 to 10.
The initiative is organized by the Argentine Atopic Dermatitis Association (ADAR), the Civil Association for Psoriasis Patients (AEPSO), the Argentine Society of Psoriasis (SOARPSO), the Argentine Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AAAeIC) and the Society of Pediatric Dermatology for Latin America (SDPL).
Professionals from different provinces and cities throughout the country participate, including: City of Buenos Aires, Avellaneda, Bernal, Tigre and Garín (Greater Buenos Aires), Bolívar, La Plata, Ensenada, San Antonio de Areco, Necochea and Trenque Lauquen ( Buenos Aires), Jujuy, Tucumán, Córdoba, Corrientes, Formosa, Salta, Entre Ríos, San Juan, Santiago del Estero, Rosario and Rafaela (Santa Fe) and Mendoza.
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