The skinny on eczema cases in Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific
Eczema, one of the most common chronic childhood illnesses, is more than skin deep. A regional study conducted last year on more than 1,000 sufferers from one year old to 16 years old found that 47 per cent also have food allergies and 30 per cent develop asthma and rhinitis.
Hong Kong was among the 12 Asia-Pacific countries involved in the study commissioned by a biopharmaceutical company. The results were announced at the 9th Asian Dermatological Congress held here two weeks ago.
It has to do with an [polluted] environment that has made people allergic
"More than 50 per cent of patients will go on to develop asthma and allergic rhinitis if the disease is not managed properly," says Professor Ellis Hon of Chinese University's department of paediatrics, who was involved in the study.
He says eczema, virtually unknown 30 years ago, is increasingly common. It is characterised by chronic inflammation of the skin that causes blisters and itchy rashes.
"One reason has to do with the growing awareness of the problem. Another has to do with an environment where rising pollution has made people more allergic," Hon says.
About 60 per cent to 70 per cent of cases in Hong Kong are induced by family factors, he adds. These include demanding parents who expect too much of their children, leading to undue stress that triggers the immune system to overreact to allergens from food or the environment.