Atopic dermatitis itchy and money drain: group - Taipei Times

People with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis not only endure itchiness, but also have to spend a lot of money on treatments, the Atopic Dermatitis Patient Association told a news conference on Monday.

World Atopic Eczema Day is on Sept. 14 every year and the theme set for this year is "break the invisible burden," highlighting the hidden emotional, social and physical struggles people with the condition have, the association said.

Atopic dermatitis is more than just dry and itchy skin, as people with moderate to severe conditions can experience chronic and relapsing flare-ups, as well as facing struggles such as undergoing treatment, financial burdens and psychological stress, said association chairman Chu Chia-yu (朱家瑜), a dermatologist at National Taiwan University Hospital.

Photo: Hou Chia-yu, Taipei Times

The association last year conducted a survey to assess the burdens of managing the disease among those with moderate to severe conditions, Chu said.

The poll showed that 72 percent of respondents had sought treatment for the disease from six or more doctors, with 46 percent having seen six to 10 doctors, while 18 percent had never been satisfied with their treatment, he said.

Twenty-eight percent spent more than NT$20,000 on skin treatments each month and 54 percent spent more than NT$5,000 per month on environmental controls such as mite eradication products, meaning that some might be spending NT$25,000 a month, he said.

Moreover, the disease can also cause poor quality of life and affect patients' mental state, he said.

The study showed that when the disease was not effectively controlled, 88 percent of respondents rated their quality of life below 40 out of 100, citing poor sleep caused by itching, or appearance anxiety and social withdrawal due to skin flaking and redness, Chu said.

People with atopic dermatitis who are struggling with itchiness, sleep disruption or other conditions should not simply endure it or stop taking medication without consulting a doctor, but should discuss treatment options with a dermatologist, he added.

In an analysis of advanced treatments, the likelihood of skin-lesion improvement accounted for 43.8 percent of respondents' decision weighting, while the likelihood of itch relief accounted for 16.53 percent, showing that people with the condition place greater emphasis on improving their appearance, he said.

A university student surnamed Wang (王) told the news conference that she would develop red, swollen and oozing sores all over her body, including her face, causing her to not even want to look in the mirror, let alone deal with people who do not understand her condition.

Another person with atopic dermatitis, surnamed Lai (賴), said that flare-ups would affect him from head to toe, and dealing with constant and intense itching and flaking would drain his energy.

Wang and Lai have found effective treatments after shared decisionmaking with their doctors and regained control over their lives, Chu said.