Xi'an Janssen Calls for Whole-Family Skin Health Awareness on National Skin Care Day

Beijing, May 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiming to raise public awareness of overall skin health and promote correct understanding of common dermatological conditions, Xian Janssen joined forces with dermatology experts to launch a series of skin health initiatives on China’s 13th annual “5.25 Skin Care Day.” The campaign calls on the public to prioritize the skin health of their entire families, with particular attention to superficial fungal infections and allergies—common skin conditions that disproportionately affect older adults and children—so as to free themselves from the burden of skin diseases and embrace a better quality of life.

As summer approaches, more families are traveling outdoors to connect with nature and engage in parent-child activities. Experts caution that while seeking relief from the summer heat, one should not overlook the ubiquitous presence of fungi in the natural environment and the associated risk of infection and disease. “Dermatophytes are classified into three categories: anthropophilic (human-preferring), zoophilic (animal-preferring), and geophilic (soil-preferring). With improving living standards, an increasing number of households keep pets, leading to a rise in infections caused by zoophilic dermatophytes. Clinical outpatient data frequently show infections acquired through contact with animals affected by tinea,” pointed out Professor Li Houmin, Deputy Director of the Department of Dermatology at Peking University People’s Hospital. “Compared to the other two types of dermatophytes, zoophilic dermatophyte infections in humans tend to provoke more pronounced inflammatory responses. It is advisable for patients to seek prompt medical evaluation and treatment upon experiencing tinea-like symptoms. Additionally, treatment of infected pets must not be neglected. In daily life, if pets exhibit signs such as erythema, scaling, or hair loss, they should receive timely veterinary care to interrupt the transmission route of dermatophytes.”

On March 23 this year, Xian Janssen launched the “True Care, Not Fungi – Caring for Family, Protecting Health” skin health awareness campaign in Shanghai. From May to October, in collaboration with authoritative experts and young and middle-aged physicians, the company will continue its skin health science popularization and care initiatives. These efforts will address common public misconceptions and diagnostic and treatment errors regarding superficial fungal infections, allergies, and other prevalent skin conditions, aiming to enhance public awareness of overall skin health and promote accurate understanding and standardized management of common dermatological diseases.

Superficial fungal infections are infectious diseases caused by fungi invading the skin, hair, and nail plates, including onychomycosis, tinea manuum and pedis, and tinea corporis and cruris. The incidence of superficial fungal infections is high in China, with onychomycosis (“gray nails”) and tinea pedis (“athlete’s foot”) having the highest rates. The prevalence of onychomycosis accounts for 2%–18% of the general population.^[1], the prevalence is higher among individuals aged 60 to 79 years.

Addressing Common Misconceptions Among the Public Regarding the Treatment of Superficial Fungal Infections: Professor Zhang Jianzhong, Director of the Department of Dermatology at Peking University People’s Hospital, Emphasizes the Importance of Standardized Diagnosis and TreatmentIn response to widespread misconceptions among the public concerning the treatment of superficial fungal infections—particularly among elderly individuals who, influenced by traditional beliefs, often resort to folk remedies or seek treatment for onychomycosis (“gray nails”) at unlicensed establishments—Professor Zhang Jianzhong, Director of the Department of Dermatology at Peking University People’s Hospital, emphasized: “Accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for effective treatment. It is both the responsibility and obligation of dermatologists to promote standardized diagnosis and treatment of common skin diseases. Leveraging initiatives and science popularization platforms such as ‘China Skin Care Week’ and ‘National 525 Skin Care Day,’ we must continue to expand public awareness regarding skin health and standardized clinical practices, guiding patients to seek timely care at reputable medical institutions. Superficial fungal infections are contagious; delayed treatment may lead to complications or other diseases. Therefore, patients and their families should prioritize early diagnosis and prompt treatment, seeking immediate care at formal healthcare facilities and adhering strictly to medical advice to complete the full course and dosage of standardized therapy.”

In China, the tiered diagnosis and treatment system has directed the initial consultations and chronic disease management for a large number of patients with skin conditions to dermatology departments in primary healthcare institutions. To strengthen the development of dermatology in China, the “Smart Dermatology” project—an integrated multi-channel display and exchange platform supported by Xian Janssen—has been officially online since April 2018, significantly promoting the enhancement of professional skills among primary care physicians.

“The development of dermatology in China should focus on strengthening primary care dermatology, academic discipline construction, and talent cultivation,” emphasized Professor Zhang Jianzhong. “At the same time, we must recognize that public education on dermatological diseases in China remains a significant and long-term endeavor. It requires the concerted efforts of dermatologists nationwide to sustainably integrate medical practice, teaching, and research with long-term health education targeted at patients and the general public.”

In the future, Xian Janssen will continue to launch more diverse skin health care initiatives across China, collaborating with a broader network of Chinese dermatologists to build a domestic dermatological ecosystem centered on public skin health. By delivering science-based education through more innovative and varied formats, we will work together to provide patients with more standardized treatment concepts. With heartfelt commitment and sustained care, we aim to better meet the growing demand for skin health support among Chinese families.

[1] Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Onychomycosis in China (2015 Edition). Chinese Journal of Mycology. 2015,10(2):118-125.