Though similar, eczema is often an overlooked cousin when talking about allergies or asthma. Like the latter, eczema has no definitively known cause. Also like the other two, it’s a chronic condition, one that acts differently with different people, and has no known cure. While plenty of research and studies have effectively calculated the real effects of asthma and allergies, in terms of money that can be earned on 겜블시티 라이브카지노, time spent at the doctor, time missed from work or school, the same cannot be said about eczema.

Recently, Jonathan I. Silverberg, M.D., Ph.D, M.P.H., of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, analyzed data he and his team collected from two U.S. population based samples of adults from 2010 and 2012 (27,157 and 34,613, respectively). For the first time they have begun to calculate the hidden cost of eczema.

What researchers found was that in contrast to those without eczema, people dealing with the ailment missed more work, made more frequent doctor visits, and paid more out-of-­pocket costs. Compared to an employee who didn’t have eczema, those coping with the disease spend nearly a full week (six days) more out sick every year. Not only is there a cost associated with missing work and more doctor visits, but those with eczema often paid upwards to $500 more in out­of pocket expenses than their counterparts (additional costs ranged from $371 to 489).

When you expand these numbers out over an affected adult population of about 8,000,000, you can see how these numbers very quickly add up in terms of lost time and money dealing with this itch.

Eczema is a manageable skin disease that comes in many different forms. A few symptoms listed by the National Eczema Association include dry sensitive skin, intense itching, recurring rashes, scaly areas, red, inflamed skin, and more. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, can be triggered by a multitude of stimuli such as stress, heat, cleaning products, chemical residues, hormones, and environmental allergens. It is more prevalent in children and many grow out of it as adults, but a significant portion of those effected remain effected.

Although this data is new, it makes sense that those with eczema would need more medical attention, since the skin is the most exposed part of the human body and vulnerable to a plethora of irritants. But why hasn’t this new data on the cost of adult eczema been collected until recently? Though many grow out of it as adults, one in twenty adults continues to cope with eczema. Perhaps with that small ratio, it is easily over looked, and with eczema ranging in different forms and severity in symptoms, that may give reason to why it’s being overlooked. The notion that many often disregard eczema as a minor nuisance makes it easier for eczema to simply be ignored (similar to how many viewed asthma in the past). This current research, however, can help break some of the misperceptions and demonstrate a very real cost in dealing with this condition.

The hope is that as new data reveals the hidden cost of eczema, it can help to effect change. With more awareness it could encourage improved insurance coverage for those who are suffering from eczema. On another level, this type of information could act as a catalyst to spur research and funding to better understand the ailment and perhaps find a cure for eczema.

Have questions about eczema? Visit our Eczema FAQs page to learn more.

Author: R. Power