Up TO three million Australians, including one in three children aged six years or younger, are afflicted by eczema which causes severe pain, distress and sleep disruption. Those were the findings of ‘The Burden of Eczema – Evidence for a National Strategy’, a major report launched by Eczema Support Australia with input from a multidisciplinary group representing nurses, psychologists and GPs and supported by the Australasian College of Dermatologists. Eczema Support Australia says it costs the economy $4 billion per year and is calling for a national strategy to “prevent Australians from being lost in a treatment maze”. Eczema Support Australia Managing Director, Melanie Funk (pictured), said she has experienced the issues first-hand and that the report should act as an “SOS call to Government to establish a National Eczema Strategy”. “As a mum with twin boys diagnosed with eczema 14 years ago, it was shocking to me how little support and patient education there was, made all the worse because eczema never sleeps – so neither does anyone dealing with eczema,” she said. “For a condition that is so common and requires such a high level of self-management, it is truly shocking there isn’t more support and education, and so many are lost in a treatment maze.” Dr Adriene Lee, President of the Australasian College of Dermatologists said, “a coordinated response will go a long way to ensuring all Australians with this condition have optimal and equitable access to treatment and care, which is why the College has no hesitation in supporting this report – and the evidence for a National Eczema Strategy”. The report includes a 10-point list for a National Eczema Strategy to address starting with standardising the care of Australians with eczema so those impacted receive the right medicine and services, including psychological support, at the right time, regardless of where they live. Other areas to address include countering ‘steroid phobia’ to prevent the underuse of corticosteroid therapy which leads to unnecessary eczema flare-ups, and ensuring all Australians with eczema benefit from timely access to treatment. Further, increasing health literacy for those affected, funding patient support services, bolstering dermatology training in general practice, addressing a nationwide shortage of dermatologists, and establishing an eczema registry. See the full paper, HERE.