More than skin deep: Webcomic dives into AD myths, patient stories

A new webcomic series aims to debunk myths about atopic dermatitis (AD) and raise public awareness of the condition through personal stories.

Illustrated by Eisner Award-winning Malaysian comic artist Erica Eng, the comic forms part of the ‘#UncoverLife–Atopic Dermatitis, More than Skin Deep’ public awareness campaign, a collaboration between Eng, Dermatological Society of Malaysia (Persatuan Dermatologi Malaysia, PDM), and Malaysia Eczema Society (Persatuan Ekzema Malaysia, PEM) in conjunction with World Atopic Dermatitis Day 2021.

Available online, the four-part webcomic series presents common myths about AD, as well as the experiences of three patients with the emotional and social challenges of living with the disease.

According to Dato’ Dr Noor Zalmy Azizan, PDM president, low awareness and persistent misconceptions over AD often hinder patients seeking medical advice and treatment, leading to delayed diagnosis and poor disease management.

“By presenting the condition in a visual and easy-to-understand medium, we hope more patients will seek proper diagnosis and care so they can experience better quality of life and support from others,” said Zalmy. “This is why our campaign name is also a call to action, for patients with atopic dermatitis to #UncoverLife.”/>

Stigmatized and depressed

Speaking at the recent #UncoverLife virtual launch event, Zalmy presented summary findings from a recent PDM survey of 219 patients with AD from November 2019 to April 2021.

According to Zalmy, the top three needs expressed by AD patients were for official information resources about the disease, assistance with treatment costs, and a hotline or counselling service. The same report also found that the top three most common misconceptions encountered by patients with AD were that ‘children with AD outgrow the condition’; ‘AD is only a skin condition’; and ‘AD is contagious’.

Zalmy added that AD prevalence among young Malaysian children has been increasing annually over the last 20 years, affecting an estimated 20.9 percent of the demographic in 2019–2020.

At the same event, Dr Peter Ch’ng Wee Beng, consultant dermatologist and PDM committee member, noted that apart from visible signs such as dry, flaking skin or a conspicuous scale-like appearance, AD can also cause intense itching disruptive to sleep and concentration, while cracked skin on the hands and feet can make basic daily tasks challenging.

“While the true prevalence of AD is unknown as many patients remain undiagnosed, we do know that AD affects patients in many ways, from their physical appearance to their mental health, and it also affects their ability to study and work,” said Ch’ng. “However, most people don’t understand the burden of living with AD.”

The event also saw key recommendations presented from PDM’s More Than Skin Deep: Atopic Dermatitis in Malaysia Report, which include more school-based educational programmes, the formation of a national patient support group, the establishment of an eczema registry, and the expansion of financial aid options.

Supported by medical bodies such as the PDM, these initiatives would help patients and caregivers access consolidated credible information, as well as professional medical expertise and treatment.

“A lot of well-meaning advice [to patients with AD] is based on myths that are perpetuated online. Many patients are still told that AD is just a simple skin condition that is easily cured … or treated like outcasts because others believe it is contagious or caused by poor hygiene. This takes a heavy toll on a patient’s mental health,” said Dr Leong Kin Fon, consultant paediatric dermatologist and PEM advisor.

Leong added that a consolidated source like the proposed national patient support group, with advice from medical bodies such as the PDM, would provide much-needed peer understanding and support.

Commenting on the webcomic, Eng described her own experiences living with untreated AD symptoms, saying the chance to share other patients’ stories was a privilege.

“I hope that everyone who reads the comics will have a better understanding of how patients feel and the challenges they face, and share the comics widely for others to learn as well,” said Eng.

More #UncoverLife resources for patient information can be accessed at the campaign website.