The special weeklong children skin camp at the National Skin Hospital in Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula, concluded today.

This was the biggest skin specialty campaign for children. Nearly 830 kids from the tricity and parts of Punjab, Himachal and Haryana, benefited from the camp where they were provided free skin consultation and treatment by best dermatologists and dermato-laser surgeons of the country.

A large number of children were detected with problems like atopic dermatitis, hair loss, hirsutism, psoriasis and fungal infections among others.

NSH chief consultant Dr Vikas Sharma said the rise of autoimmune skin disorders among the children was a worrying sign, as nearly 210 of 830 children had atopic dermatitis.

“The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis reacts abnormally and easily to irritants, food, and environmental allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. It also becomes vulnerable to surface infections caused by bacteria. The skin on the flexural surfaces of the joints (for example inner sides of elbows and knees) are the most commonly affected regions in people,” Dr Vikas said.

Dr Vikas said a number of school-going children were being detected with chronic skin diseases and one of the major factors resulting in chronicity of the skin diseases and further complications is lack of early diagnosis, inadequate medication or treatment for symptomatic relief by general practitioners. He stressed that an early diagnosis and specific treatment are of paramount importance.