A major new online service for eczema sufferers has today been launched by irishhealth.com.

The site’s new Eczema Clinic provides medical advice, information, support and resources for sufferers and their families.

Up to 800,000 Irish people suffer from eczema (also known as dermatitis) in some form. An estimated one in four Irish children suffer from eczema at some stage and while some grow out of it, for many it is a long-term problem.

"This new Eczema Clinic fills a major gap in online services for what is one of the most prevalent conditions in Ireland," according to irishhealth.com Medical Editor, Dr Leonard Condren.

The new Clinic, which was developed in association with LEO Laboratories, explains the nature and principal types of eczema, as well as looking at the role of infected eczema, tests for the condition, advice on skin moisturizing, eczema during pregnancy and tips for parents of children with eczema.

The psychological aspects of eczema are also explored in the Clinic. International studies have shown that sufferers of chronic skin conditions often experience severe low self-esteem, and have a significantly greater risk of suicide than the population as a whole.

Site visitors can also download free of charge or order a printed version of an award-winning guide to helping younger children understand their condition. It is called ‘Eddie’s Eczema’. Co-author of this booklet, consultant dermatologist, Dr Rosemary Coleman is also author of two of the main articles on the Clinic.

There is also a Discussions area on eczema, which allows site visitors to exchange information and tips, as well as support one another. This in turn, is connected to the main irishhealth.com Discussions area, which currently has over 9,200 individual comments posted on over 2,000 topics by site members.

The site now has almost 39,400 registered members, and contains almost 5 million words in fully searchable original online ../../content, as well as operating Ireland’s only breaking health news and live ‘Ask the Doctor’ service.

To visit the new Clinic, click below: