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Eczema Patients Experience High Recurrence and Job Challenges Survey: 40% Find Treatments Ineffective;
Over 10% Forced to Resign HKU Research Offers Hope for Drug Resistance Issues
***Press Conference***

[Hong Kong, August 17, 2025] In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the economy recovers, businesses have heightened their expectations regarding employee health and performance. This has led to increased pressure and challenges for chronic illness patients in the workplace. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common chronic condition in Hong Kong, affecting 1 in 5 individuals at various times.

Survey Reveals Eczema’s Impact on Working Individuals
To understand the extent of eczema’s impact on patients’ lives and work, the market research firm Indigo Plus Research Limited (Indigo+) conducted a questionnaire survey from June to July 2025, targeting working individuals who sought medical help for eczema within the last five years. A total of 240 valid responses were collected. The survey revealed that 32.5% of respondents (78 individuals) faced exclusion or ridicule from colleagues or supervisors, while 21.3% (51 individuals) were rejected during job applications due to their condition. Furthermore, 26.3% (63 individuals) had to take leave due to their illness, and 11.3% (27 individuals) ultimately resigned. Additionally, 73.8% (177 individuals) reported inadequate rest due to eczema, further weakening their work efficiency and performance.

The survey also found that 40.0% (96 individuals) believed previous eczema treatments were ineffective. When asked about reasons for discontinuing treatment, 42.9% (103 individuals) cited high treatment costs. Although topical corticosteroids are the most common treatment (used by 72.9% or 175 individuals), only 37.7% (66 individuals) were satisfied with the results. Traditional Chinese medicine, both oral and topical, was also frequently attempted (56.7%, 136 individuals), but 49.3% (67 individuals) were dissatisfied with the effects. While newer biologics show significant potential, only 12.1% (29 individuals) were able to use them. Some patients turned to alternative therapies like probiotics, fish oil supplements, or acupuncture, yet 40.0% to 53.7% reported unsatisfactory outcomes.

Dr. James Li, President of the Medical And Health Advancement Federation, MHAF stated, “52.5% (126 individuals) experienced recurrences of five or more times. The survey also reflects the significant economic impact of eczema on patients, making it a long-term battle.”

Understanding Eczema: The Interplay of Genetics, Environment, and Immunity
Registered physician Dr. Lam Hon-Sin explained that eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Research shows that eczema patients often have “skin barrier function defects,” such as Filaggrin gene mutations, which lead to increased water loss and weakened resistance to external stimuli and pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus is a significant pathogenic factor in eczema pathology; its secreted virulence factors are often overlooked allergens that damage the skin barrier and trigger inflammatory responses, exacerbating eczema. Environmental factors like climate change, stress, allergens, and certain chemicals can also induce or worsen eczema. Daily skincare is crucial, including keeping the skin moisturized with fragrance-free moisturizers and choosing non-irritating bath and cleaning products, as well as avoiding allergy-inducing foods and managing stress.

Discontinuation of Treatment Leads to a Vicious Cycle
Dr. Lam noted that the itching caused by eczema can severely affect sleep quality, subsequently impacting work performance and income, creating a vicious cycle. Additionally, “long-term reliance on steroids or immunosuppressants may lead to side effects, such as skin thinning, increased infection risk, and added psychological burden.” The survey showed that 42.9% of patients had to discontinue treatment due to high costs, which often leads to worsening conditions. Long-term eczema treatment requires considering both efficacy and affordability, which is particularly important for chronic disease patients. Scientists and the medical community are actively exploring safer and more effective treatment options to improve patients’ quality of life.

Staphylococcus aureus: A Key Pathogenic Factor in Eczema
Professor Richard Kao from the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong recently published significant research revealing the central role of Staphylococcus aureus in eczema pathology. Professor Kao stated, “10-30% of the general population are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus, but nearly all eczema patients (100%) have high levels of this bacteria on affected skin. During eczema flare-ups, the quantity of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin surface significantly increases and correlates with the severity of the condition.” These bacteria induce inflammatory responses by secreting virulence factors, causing redness, itching, and further damaging the skin barrier. The study also discovered that excessive bacterial proliferation inhibits the growth of beneficial bacteria, leading to skin microbiome imbalances, making the skin more susceptible to moisture loss and external stimuli, creating a vicious cycle. This mechanism provides new insights into the recurrence of eczema and important clues for developing targeted therapies.

Patients’ Voices: Eczema Affects Health and Mental Well-Being
ADA, who has suffered from eczema since a few months old, incurs monthly treatment costs of approximately $600 to $1,000, with injections costing between $8,000 to $16,000, adding financial stress. The recurring nature of her condition forces her to take frequent leave, impacting her work and reducing her efficiency due to itching-induced insomnia. She has even had to abandon her dream of becoming a nurse due to her inability to cope with frequent disinfection. After participating in the professor’s research, ADA experienced significant improvements within a week, required no injections after a month, and saw her skin return to a youthful state within three months. Another patient, Claudia, has had eczema since birth and faced injection costs of up to HKD 20,000 monthly at her worst. Currently, her traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture treatments cost between HKD 3,000 to 5,000 monthly, which is still burdensome. Eczema affects her concentration and sleep quality, and she feels embarrassed and troubled by her skin condition. After participating in the professor’s research, Claudia also reported significant improvements.

Both patients saw remarkable improvements in their skin, reducing their reliance on medications and injections after participating in the professor’s research.

Innovative Eczema Treatment Strategies: Breakthrough Applications of Antivirulence Drugs
To address the challenges posed by Staphylococcus aureus, Professor Kao’s team has focused on the regulation of virulence factors for over a decade, successfully developing antivirulence compounds such as M21 and HR3744. These compounds effectively suppress the expression of virulence factors, significantly weakening the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus while avoiding the antibiotic resistance issues associated with traditional antibiotics. The team has recently developed a plant compound formulation, ANESININ, which not only inhibits the virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus but also promotes the repair and protection of the skin barrier, providing eczema patients with a new treatment option free from side effects. This innovative achievement lays the scientific groundwork for developing eczema solutions and offers patients a new ecological regulatory-based treatment option that is also economically viable, thereby enhancing their quality of life. Particularly for patients with recurrent eczema, this research brings new hope for resolving their treatment dilemmas.

#MedicalPR #HealthcareCommunications #HealthResearchAgency #MedicalMarketing #ScienceToSociety #ClinicalInsights #HealthDataMatters #PublicHealthStrategy #MedicalMediaRelations #ResearchToReality #PatientCentricPR #HealthInnovationHub #EvidenceBasedImpact #MedicalStorytelling #HealthAwarenessCampaign #HealthcareAdvocacy #MedicalOutreach #ScienceDrivenPR #DataDrivenHealthcare #TranslatingScience #TrustedHealthVoices #MedicalEngagementExperts.

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Eczema Patients Experience High Recurrence and Job Challenges Survey: 40% Find Treatments Ineffective; Over 10% Forced to Resign HKU Research Offers Hope for Drug Resistance Issues ***Press Conference***

[Hong Kong, August 17, 2025] In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the economy recovers, businesses have heightened their expectations regarding employee health and performance. This has led to increased pressure and challenges for chronic illness patients in the workplace. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common chronic condition in Hong Kong, affecting 1 in 5 individuals at various times.

August 17, 2025
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