Supporting Your Skin: Nationwide Dermatology Campaign for Adult Atopic Dermatitis

The doors of dermatology from over 40 university and hospital centers reopen on the occasion of the awareness campaign on Adult Atopic Dermatitis "On Your Skin's Side", promoted by SIDeMaST, the Italian Society of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, now in its fourth edition. An initiative that will allow citizens across Italy to receive free dermatological consultations from March 23 to April 15, 2024. The campaign - realized under the auspices of Adoi (Association of Hospital and Public Health Dermatologists-Venereologists) and Andea (National Association of Atopic Dermatitis) and with the non-binding contribution of Sanofi - riding on the success of last year, has expanded its offer: compared to the 28 centers that joined the initiative in 2023, examining more than 1300 patients, this year more than 40 centers will be involved, from the North to the South of the country. Thanks to the consultations carried out during the "Open Days", it will be possible, in case of a positive diagnosis, to direct patients to the Sidemast reference centers in the territory so that they can embark on the most suitable therapeutic path for each of them. "The 'On Your Skin's Side' campaign," explains Professor Giuseppe Argenziano, president of Sidemast, "has immense ethical and strategic value for our society. It is not only about bringing people suffering from this disabling disease closer to dermatologists who are tasked with treating it in the best possible way but also about raising public awareness on preventive measures for atopic dermatitis." Professor Marco Ardigò, a member of the Sidemast board and responsible for awareness campaigns, echoes this sentiment: "This new edition of the campaign, compared to previous years, significantly extends the project to other Italian dermatological centers, in order to reach the largest possible number of patients nationwide. The goal is both to sensitize citizens to the issue of atopic dermatitis and to bring patients closer to specialized Italian centers capable of offering diagnostic assistance and innovative therapeutic proposals." "Atopic dermatitis," concludes Professor Maria Concetta Fargnoli, vice-president of Sidemast, "affects about 20% of children and 2-5% of adults. In adults, it manifests with dryness, redness, excoriations, and thickening of the skin, accompanied by intense itching. It is predominantly located on the face and neck, antecubital folds (elbow crease), popliteal fossae (behind the knee), and hands but can also affect more extensive areas of the body. Itching is the most important symptom; it can be very intense and interfere with sleep, daily activities, study, and work capabilities. The clinical manifestations, often located in visible areas, and the itching negatively affect the personal life and social relationships of the patient with significant repercussions on their quality of life and psychological sphere.