World Atopic Eczema Day Date in the current year: September 14, 2024

Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common skin conditions that affects about one fifth of all people at some point of their lives. It is a long-term skin inflammation that results in red, swollen, itchy, and cracked skin. Atopic eczema may affect people of all ages and genders, but it typically starts in childhood and affects women slightly more often that men.

The exact cause of atopic eczema is unknown. It is believed that it develops due to a combination of genetic, immunologic, and environmental factors. Factors that can worsen the symptoms and cause flare-ups include dry air, exposure to hard water and certain chemicals, and emotional stress. Atopic eczema is not contagious.

There is no cure for atopic eczema, but certain treatments may alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency of flare-ups. They include maintaining optimal air humidity, keeping the skin moisturized, taking vitamin D in the form of supplements, UV exposure, and topical medications.

While atopic eczema is a physical condition, it can affect the mental health of those living with the disease. Flare-ups in visible places often lead to awkward and invasive questions, which result in embarrassment and self-consciousness. In addition to putting a physical and mental burden on patients, eczema has a financial impact because skincare products and medications used by atopic eczema patients can be quite expensive.

World Atopic Ezema Day was launched in 2018 by the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations, also known as GlobalSkin, and the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA). The annual awareness campaign is supported by atopic eczema patient organizations from all over the world, healthcare organizations, and other stakeholders.

The main goals of World Atopic Eczema Day are to unite the global patient community, support people living with atopic eczema, their families and caregivers, raise public awareness of atopic eczema and the challenges that people living with the condition face on a daily basis, combat the stigma surrounding the disease, and campaign for improving the lives of atopic eczema patients.

You can observe World Atopic Eczema Day by learning more about the disease if you’ve never had to deal with it, sharing your story of living with atopic eczema or caring for someone with the disease to help others get educated, donating to a patient organization that supports people living with eczema, and showing the world that eczema is not contagious by posting about it on social media with the hashtag #WorldAtopicEczemaDay.

Each year, the organizers World Atopic Eczema Day select a new theme for the awareness campaign. Past themes have included “Raising Awareness for Atopic Eczema” (2018), “Atopic Eczema – Beneath the Surface” (2019), “How Do YOU Care for Atopic Eczema?” (2020), “Unite for Atopic Eczema” (2021), and “Inside Atopic Eczema” (2022).