The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Early action key to fighting this skin disease

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 05, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Early action key to fighting this skin disease

By Ramya Kannan

CHENNAI, NOV. 4. Treating atopic dermatitis, a recurrent skin disease, early is a key factor in ensuring a better quality of life for patients, according to Robert A. Schwartz of the New Jersey Medical School.

"The cost-benefit analysis bears this out. There is more benefit in treating the disease early. Sometimes, skin diseases can become life threatening, the whole body will be affected and the patient might require hospitalisation," Dr. Schwartz, a dermatologist, paediatrician and preventive medicine expert, explained.

Though atopic dermatitis has a genetic basis and has been associated with food allergies, he added, "No one knows entirely what the triggers are. The thing is to catch it early and treat people.

Children mostly affected

This allergic disease occurs mostly in children, in their first year, and manifests as intense itching, dry skin, redness and discolouration. The condition can often lead to ostracisation within the community. According to statistics, 10-15 per cent of the children in India are affected by the disease. Adults, who work in certain industries, are also affected by occupational dermatitis, he added.

Dr. Schwartz, who was in Chennai recently, said atopic skin loses its capacity to act as a barrier. Even normal activities such as living in saline climes, or being in air-conditioned rooms (leading to excessive dryness of skin) will adversely affect those with dermatitis, thereby eroding the quality of life. When a person is atopic, the skin becomes very sensitive and has allergic reactions to wearing certain kinds of clothes. Besides there is the fear of secondary infections, especially that of the face that could have serious consequences.

Great leveller

Atopic dermatitis, he added, is a great leveller, affecting all sections of the society. "In fact, the more affluent are, to some extent, at higher risk. As health standards improve, the occurrence becomes more common," he said.

Though a cure is still elusive, several modes of treatment are available, including local application of moisturisers, steroids and an immuno-suppressant, tacrolimus, that has proved effective over the past four years in Japan and the United States. Dermatologists usually use a combination of methods, tailoring them to individual requirements. "Some of them get better, but the disease comes back when they become adults. In about 40 per cent of the cases, we are not sure if it will clear," he added.

Dr. Schwartz also laid stress on the role of the dermatologist, who is responsible for diagnosing the disease early. "The disease is largely under-diagnosed and even dermatologists sometimes mistake it for some other condition," he said.

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