Itching for solutions - Citizen Matters

Eczema in children, is a condition typically characterised by skin lesions associated with itching, sometimes watery discharges,  often complicated by infections, and noted for relapses.

The condition has shown a spurt in number of cases recently. In 1972, a  Bihar study revealed prevalence of eczema to be 0.38% of all skin diseases.  38 % of them were reported to be

Infantile AD (atopic Dermatitis), a medical term for eczema.

Two decades later another study showed the incidence of AD to be 28.46% of total paediatric skin diseases. The reasons for this spurt are not very clear. Some of the causes being studied,

are changes in environmental pollutants, breastfeeding patterns, increased awareness, urbanisation, better and more scientific reporting, and better diagnostic modalities.

It is also known to be  more prevalent in winters than summers. Male children are more likely to be affected than females, and Family history is known to play a part. The onset of disease is

mainly between 3-5 months of age, and is likely to affect mainly face, elbows, knees and diaper rash in babies. In older children, areas affected include the fold behind the knees, inside

the elbow and neck.

It is noted that apart from the babies, the disease causes a great amount of anxiety and sufferings for parents as well. Some of the facts that can help alleviate this anxiety are:

·        Eczema is not contagious.·        It is most common in children and at least half of them will grow out of it.·        Good preventive Measures :

As the sun blazed across India's hottest regions, people faced an unprecedented heat risk this year. While Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and many other states reported

hundreds of heatstroke cases and heat-related illnesses, experts have warned that the actual toll of the heat wave impact may be underreported in India. Summer may be officially over, and

the monsoon has brought respite, but the impact of heat on all aspects of life remains a real and present danger. Heat-related deaths can occur even when there are no heat wave warnings, and

factors like humidity, wind speed, pre-existing medical conditions,…

Ever stepped out to be hit by a blistering wave of heat? When the surroundings felt like a furnace and the body seemed to give up from exhaustion? This is how it was a week ago, when in many

parts of India, including Delhi, the mercury touched 40 degrees Celsius, before sudden rainfall drastically lowered temperatures. The high humidity pushed the 'feel-like temperature' to

almost 50 degrees Celsius, and the heat wave disrupted daily life.   Now, imagine a long battle with unrelenting heat for weeks or months, stifling communities and threatening livelihoods.

Heat waves and chronic heat stress may…

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