Compliance Difficulties in Atopic Children, Reflections from an Eczema School in Sweden

Ada Uldahl-Curiac,Ann-Kristin Björk

doi:10.4172/2155-9554.1000350

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis in children is common. However, where many patients only have minor symptoms, in children seen in departments of dermatology the majority often have widespread dermatitis for longer periods of time. Both the disease, with repetitive flares, and the treatment are often a cause of concern for both patient and parents. Compliance in the group varies and in the patients seen in the eczema school this is often a problem.

Highlights

20% of all children in the western world at the age of about 6 have or have had atopic dermatitis [1,2,3], living with eczema and learning how to treat the skin is still for many patients and their parents considered very difficult [4,5]
How the eczema school works in different countries and cities depend often on the local clinicians, the facilities found and cultural differences [13,19,20,21]
In the case reports below we have wanted to highlight some of the clinical and social problems, including the fact that as an immigrant in a new country a diagnosis of eczema may be more difficult to handle, due to social and cultural differences, and where the families often have not had a history of dermatitis in their home country

Summary

Introduction

20% of all children in the western world at the age of about 6 have or have had atopic dermatitis [1,2,3], living with eczema and learning how to treat the skin is still for many patients and their parents considered very difficult [4,5]. The mother collects the boy at kindergarten so late that there often comes to argument on whether treatment should be given at home This is the reason for the family not being able to adhere to treatments. By help of the social service the mother can get other working hours and can be on sick leave for a time in order to give the patient proper treatment. The patient has had relapses but the family has managed to understand and, by help from the eczema school where there is understanding on the living conditions, manages to adhere to treatment. Due to the history and clinical picture, when seen in the eczema school, the patient is referred to patch testing. Treatment is changed and the patients heals when on treatment and manages to stay healed with local corticosteroid treatment 2 weekly

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion