LAGOS – A dermatologist, Dr Otrofanowei Erere, on Thursday called for intensive awareness campaign on skin related diseases to reduce the negative effects on human health.
Erere, who works with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, made the call in an[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″] interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
She said that the peculiarity of the weather, environment, lifestyle and personal hygiene could be [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]responsible for the fast spread of skin diseases.
According to her, it has become very necessary for people to be more informed about skin related
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”8″][pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]diseases and disorders.
She said, “We see a lot of skin diseases and what we see are peculiar to our environment.
“The most common include acne and eczema which affects everybody, in spite of gender and age.
“ We also have skin lightening as well as different fungal infections on the skin, scalp, hair and private area.
“There are many cases of warts, sexually transmitted diseases, contact warts and others.
“Humidity will always allow people to have fungal infections, and so, we have high rate of fungal infections, which people live with.
“While these patients may not die from these fungal infections, the infections can have social and psychological effects, and generally reduce the quality of life.”
Erere said that infectious diseases were still being recorded in the environment.
“We still encounter cases of people with leprosy, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and others. We can help most of them, but the point to note is that people are not aware that they exist.
“People should stop assuming that these are small things and that they will go.
“Skin disorders, asides from the pain, discomfort, irritation and embarrassment, can lead to other more severe consequences.
“They can result to stigmatisation, depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies,” the expert said.
The dermatologist advised that skin disorders should be taken seriously, even at the community level.
“People need to know about these diseases and the underlying consequences.
“At the primary health level, the primary healthcare people, the community nurses, the community health extension workers (CHEWS),
need to be able to identify skin diseases and make referrals to appropriate professionals.
“Then, in our schools and churches, we need to let people know the importance of having healthy skins and skins free of diseases.
“Emphasis should also be placed on living in clean environment, regular washing of clothes and bodies with soap and clean water, as well as consulting the right personnel whenever issues of skin discomfort arise,’’ she said. (NAN)
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