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Significant rise in childhood eczema across the Mideast

ABU DHABI - The incidence of childhood eczema has risen sharply in the Middle East, according to experts in both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

A study by the National Allergy Group, supported by King Saud University in the Kingdom, highlights a significant rise in the cases of eczema in children over the past decade, with almost 20 per cent of children between six and 18 now suffering from the skin condition.

Concurrently, a UAE expert, Ikramullah Al Nasir, specialist dermatologist and medical director at the Dermacare Skin Centre, has noted that a similar increase in the UAE, with a sharp rise in cases over the past few years.

"Studies indicate that eczema becomes more prevalent amongst children in more densely populated urban areas, and this problem is exacerbated by a higher level of pollution in our environment. We have witnessed a definite rise in eczema in recent years, and it's important that parents are made aware of this condition" said Dr Al Nasir. Experts suggest that environmental changes in the Middle East, including rising levels of pollution, and an increase in food allergies, are among the potential reasons for the increasing incidence of the skin condition.

Eczema can have a serious impact on children's lives, causing discomfort and sleepless nights. Eczema's impact is often compounded by the "vicious circle" nature of the condition, because the itching can cause children to scratch the affected skin area, rub off the outer protective later of the skin, and leave it extra sensitive to irritants.

The National Allergy Group study also notes that, if the condition is left untreated, it can also develop into bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis.

Discussion around the incidence of eczema has been further stimulated by the approval of a new, non-steroid cream in countries across the region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.

The cream, Elidel, offers anxious patients an alternative to the traditional steroid-based anti-inflammatory cream. "Eczema is a serious condition, so it is a positive sign that new treatments are being made available to people in the Middle East. Elidel relieves inflammation, itchiness and discolouration of the skin, and has also been clinically proven to control the further progression of those symptoms," Dr Al Nasir.

With a greater number of children than ever before suffering from the skin condition, health professionals in the Middle East are also working hard to increase awareness about the importance of creating a low-dust environment in the home.

Research suggests that dust mites - which are most commonly found in mattresses and bedding, carpets, curtains and soft toys - creates more scratching and skin damage for children with atopic eczema.

Other areas where parents can potentially help their children include avoiding situations where young people sweat for a long period without relief (not swaddling them with blankets at night when they are not needed, for example), or having them checked for potential food allergies.