World Chronic Hand Eczema Day to Launch October 5
Key Takeaways
- The inaugural World Chronic Hand Eczema Day will take place October 5, 2026, under the theme “More Than Just Hands.”
- The campaign focuses on the physical, occupational, social, and emotional burden associated with chronic hand eczema (CHE).
- Medicom Education developed the initiative with patient advocacy organizations; the project received funding from LEO Pharma.
The first World Chronic Hand Eczema Day will take place October 5, 2026, bringing patients, clinicians, and advocacy organizations together to increase awareness of chronic hand eczema (CHE) and its effects beyond the skin, according to a press release.
Hand eczema is an inflammatory skin disease affecting the hands. Disease that persists for at least 3 months or recurs at least twice within 1 year is classified as CHE, according to materials provided by the campaign. Organizers report that hand eczema affects an estimated 15% of people during their lifetime and that CHE may persist for years, with periods of flares and remission.
“More Than Just Hands” Focuses on the Burden of Chronic Hand Eczema
The inaugural campaign theme, “More Than Just Hands,” emphasizes the potential occupational, functional, social, and emotional consequences of CHE. Campaign materials cite research indicating that more than one-quarter of people with CHE may be unfit for work. In a Danish study of individuals with work-related hand eczema, 44% had changed jobs, more than half had taken sick leave, and 15% had retired early because of their condition.
“Hands are central to independence, identity, work, caregiving and connection,” said Ana M. Giménez-Arnau, of Hospital del Mar Research Institute and Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Spain. “Yet for many people living with CHE, everyday activities can become difficult, painful or emotionally challenging.”
Activities planned for October 5 include a live webinar featuring patient and clinical perspectives on disease burden, diagnosis, and treatment. The campaign also is offering patient and clinician educational materials and a white paper, “The Case for Change in Chronic Hand Eczema.”
World Chronic Hand Eczema Day is an initiative of Medicom Education, developed with NIK e.V., Eczema UK, APIAFCO, and Association Française de l’Eczéma. LEO Pharma provided funding for the project; Medicom Education states that it is solely responsible for the campaign content.