Understanding the Needs of Those Suffering from Eczema on World Atopic Eczema Day
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common forms of dermatitis. It is a chronic skin condition that often leads to recurring infections and, worse, a deplorable quality of life, especially when left untreated.
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition characterized by dry, itchy skin prone to infections. People who suffer from it often find temporary relief by scratching or rubbing the plagued area, resulting in flaky rashes; hence, many recognize this condition as the “itch that rashes.”
In the United States alone, over 30 million people suffer from some form of eczema. What’s even more staggering is the fact that eczema’s prevalence has risen in recent years, resulting in one in five children and one in ten adults suffering from it.
Incidentally, people are more likely to develop this skin condition during childhood. In fact, in the U.S., almost 10 million children who haven’t quite reached the age of 18 yet suffer from eczema. This leads to the all-important question: “What causes eczema?”
Factors That Possibly Cause Eczema
Despite numerous studies, dermatologists still do not entirely understand eczema’s exact cause or origin. Nevertheless, they believe genetic and environmental factors contribute to the condition’s progression. Moreover, dermatologists have discovered that affected individuals have a family history of allergies, asthma, or eczema, underscoring the theory that genes play a massive role in eczema.
Other genes linked closely to eczema are those directly involved in skin barrier functions and the immune system. In particular, mutations of the filaggrin gene, which is responsible for creating a protein called filaggrin that’s critical in maintaining skin barrier functions, increase a person’s susceptibility to irritants and allergens that cause eczema.
Even a person’s immune system plays a significant part in eczema development. Eczema patients have been shown to have overactive immune responses to environmental triggers. Hence, they are more prone to inflammation and skin damage.
The Severity of Eczema
Just how severe is eczema? Consider this: About 15% to 30% of children will probably experience eczema. Sixty percent of these cases will develop within the first year of a child’s life. In the same vein, 2% to 10% of adults will also experience eczema during their lifetime. Adults affected by eczema either developed the condition during childhood or, through whatever factors, developed it later in life.
That is how widespread eczema cases are. There is also this thing called “the atopic march,” a triad of related conditions, and eczema is part of it, along with allergic rhinitis and asthma. That means about 50% of patients suffering from severe eczema are most likely to develop asthma, while 75% could develop allergic rhinitis.
These facts underscore why we should not take eczema lightly. It’s easy to understand why individuals who must deal with it often express various frustrations, even in what some might consider mundane stuff, such as searching for suitable clothing.
Typical Frustrations of People with Eczema
One of the things people with eczema find particularly challenging is finding the right clothes. Eczema-prone skin is susceptible to certain fabrics, synthetic materials, and harsh dyes or chemicals. Exposure to these could lead to itching, redness, and flare-ups, so eczema sufferers try to avoid these at all costs by seeking alternatives like clothing made from 100% organic cotton.
Another thing is that most clothing in the market today has undergone treatment with formaldehyde, dyes, or fragrances during manufacturing, additives that could trigger allergic reactions. Even tight clothing can aggravate eczema flare-ups.
The inconsistent quality of clothes labeled “hypoallergenic” is also a source of frustration for eczema-prone individuals. In addition, there are limited clothing choices, a high cost of eczema-friendly clothing, and a lack of awareness among many people. This is where Cottonique plays a critical role in the lives of eczema sufferers.
How Cottonique Meets Their Needs
Cottonique understands how this chronic skin condition can impact daily life dramatically. Because eczema can lead to discomfort, frustration, and the necessity of specific solutions, we have made it our mission to provide comfortable, truly hypoallergenic clothing made from GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton.
All our offerings are designed to cater to the needs of those with eczema:
- Allergy-Free Materials: Our organic cotton is free from harmful chemicals, making it safe for those with eczema.
- Variety of Styles: We offer a wide selection of clothing options for men, women, and children, ensuring everyone can find something that suits their style and needs.
- Comfort-Focused Design: Each garment is designed with comfort in mind, featuring soft seams and breathable fabrics to enhance wearability without irritating the skin.
- Affordability: We strive to keep our products accessible, providing quality solutions at reasonable prices.
- Educational Resources: Cottonique is dedicated to educating our customers about managing eczema. Our blog offers tips and insights into caring for skin affected by this condition and finding the right clothing solutions.
Our commitment stems from the fact that there exists a significant gap in understanding the complexities of eczema. As a result, there is inadequate support for people managing this condition. This is why we fully support the World Atopic Eczema Day.
World Atopic Eczema Day
World Atopic Eczema Day was founded in 2018 and has since championed the cause of eczema sufferers globally. It is a joint initiative by the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) and the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations (GlobalSkin). It was started to raise awareness about eczema not only across Europe but also around the world.
This year, World Atopic Eczema Day falls on September 14. This will allow us to express our oneness with individuals who suffer from eczema. It’s a day dedicated to understanding and empathizing with the unique challenges faced by individuals who must deal with eczema every day of their lives.
For this year, the event is banking on the theme #AtopicEczemaUnfiltered, and rightly so. With the advancement in technology and the emergence of various photo-taking applications, it’s easy to curate images in a way that obscures reality. “Filtering” hides the genuine struggles of those who must live with eczema; thus, these go unnoticed.
So, this year’s theme aims to shed light on the authentic personal experiences of eczema sufferers, highlighting the daily challenges they face just because they must live with this chronic condition.
Getting Involved this World Atopic Eczema Day
There are thousands of untold stories of people living with eczema. The World Atopic Eczema Day is your opportunity to support them, raise awareness of their plight, and educate others about the condition’s multifaceted nature.
You could foster solidarity, empathy, and understanding between them and the rest of the world. How? Here are some ways to get involved:
- Share Their Story: Use the power of social media to share the experiences of these people. You may not know it, but the stories of eczema sufferers could inspire others and help create a supportive community.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Read up on eczema and inform others about its challenges. Remember, education is crucial to fostering understanding and support for individuals with eczema.
- Participate in Events: Try to look for local events or online webinars focused on eczema awareness. Engagement could build connections and share valuable information; thus, you’ll be better positioned to help these individuals.
- Promote Awareness: Use hashtags like #WorldAtopicEczemaDay and #AtopicEczemaUnfiltered to join the conversation and spread awareness online.
- Support Organizations: Consider donating to or volunteering with organizations dedicated to eczema research and support, helping to improve the lives of those affected.
Whether you suffer from eczema or know someone, a friend or loved one perhaps, who suffers from it, you need to play your part. Join the world in raising awareness for World Atopic Eczema Day.
DISCLAIMER: The information presented on Cottonique is not and will never be intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content materials on this site, including text, treatments, outcomes, charts, graphics, photographs, and study findings, are created and published only for general informational purposes. It should not, in any way, be construed as a standard of care to be followed by a user of the website.
Thus, readers are encouraged to verify any information obtained from this website with other accurate references and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with their physician. As Cottonique strives to help those with allergies live better days, the hypoallergenic apparel brand encourages everyone to always seek the advice of their physician or other qualified health providers with any questions they may have regarding a medical condition.