KUWAIT CITY, Nov 22: The head of the dermatology department at Jahra Hospital and Head of the Kuwait Society of Dermatologists Dr. Muhammad Al-Otaibi says the rates of endogenous eczema among children in Kuwait range between 20 to 25 percent, compared to 10 to 20 percent globally, revealing that it is the most common skin disease in Kuwait. In a special press statement, Dr. Al-Otaibi highlighted the ongoing efforts to prepare a national statistical register on the most common skin diseases in the country, including eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo. He revealed that the rate of psoriasis in the Arab world has reached up to five percent, compared to four percent globally.

Dr. Al-Otaibi explained that there are several causes of eczema, including genetic predisposition, weather fluctuations, and eating foods that contain milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, etc, in addition to exposure to inhaled substances such as dust, pollen, hair, and droppings of animals and birds, and psychological factors. Increased psychological stress enhances the severity of the symptoms of the disease.

Meanwhile, Dr. Muhammad Al-Otaibi announced the launch of the Kuwait Conference for Dermatology, Laser, and Cosmetic Medicine during the period from December 16 to 18 under the patronage of the Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi. It is being organized by the Kuwait Society of Dermatologists with the participation of experts, consultants, and heads of dermatology associations in the Gulf and Arab countries. He explained that the program of the conference includes more than 90 scientific lectures, 23 workshops, and 13 scientific symposia, in addition to a workshop for doctors of the Kuwait Board of Dermatology. The conference is aimed to discuss several topics regarding the uses of lasers, phototherapy, developments in the treatment of skin diseases (psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema), and the biological medications that have been used in the last ten years to treat these diseases.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies