Eczema is a very common condition affecting millions of adults and children worldwide and its occurrence is on the rise.
Below are some interesting facts:
- Atpoic eczema affects all races
- Less than 10% of atopic eczema is caused by food allergies, however some foods may trigger a flare up.
- 20% of people with atopic eczema are the only ones in the family with the condition despite it generally being passed through families
- Eczema is uncommon in the tropics
- Eczema is most common in urban areas
- Eczema affects 1 in 3 Australasians at some stage throughout their lives
- Over 1 million Australian adults have eczema
- 15 million people in the USA have a form of eczema
- 10 – 20% of all infants in the USA have eczema
- 10 – 20% of school children in the UK have eczema
- 3 –5% of adults in the UK have eczema
- The incidence of eczema has increased 2 –5 fold over the past 30 years.
- Atpoic eczema is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions affecting some 15 – 20% of children worldwide.
Much of the rise in the incidence of eczema can be attributed to modern society and the level of pollution. There are approximately 85 000 chemicals in the environment worldwide; most of them when in contact with the skin, can induce irritant contact dermatitis. This is just one form of eczema that we commonly see today, the most common, especially amongst children is atopic eczema.