Improvement of public awareness regarding allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis and asthma

• Establishment and distribution of prevention and management rules for allergic diseases
• World Allergy Week campaign
• Development and distribution of educational and promotional content

* Developed in Korean, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

• Atopic Dermatitis
  1. Moisturize and thoroughly provide care for skin.
     1. Bathe daily in lukewarm water for no more than 10 minutes.
     2. Use a mildly acidic soap-free cleanser for daily bathing, and do not scrub the skin.
     3. Apply moisturizer at least twice a day, immediately after bathing.
     4. Wear non-irritating clothing.
     5. fingernails and toenails trimmed short.
  2. Restrict foods accurately diagnosed as allergens.
  3. Manage stress well.
  4. Maintain appropriate indoor temperature and humidity.
  5. Adhere consistently to treatments with proven efficacy and safety.
• Asthma
  1. Keep indoor areas clean, and on days with severe air pollution, refrain from going out or wear a mask.
  2. Identify the causes and aggravating factors of asthma through testing and then avoid them.
  3. Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke as much as possible.
  4. Wash hands well to prevent colds, and get the influenza (flu) vaccine.
  5. Exercise regularly and maintain a normal body weight.
  6. Follow a doctor's instructions for asthma treatment, and keep well-informed on how to respond to asthmatic exacerbation.
  7. Adhere consistently to treatments with proven efficacy and safety.
• Allergic Rhinitis
  1. Keep indoor areas clean, and on days with severe air pollution, refrain from going out or wear a mask.
  2. Identify the causes and aggravating factors of rhinitis through testing and then avoid them.
  3. Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke as much as possible.
  4. Wash hands well to prevent colds.
  5. Adhere consistently to treatments with proven efficacy and safety.
• Food Allergy
  1. Suspect a food allergy if symptoms such as hives, swelling, itching, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, difficulty breathing, or dizziness occur after exposure to a specific food.
  2. If diagnosed with a food allergy by a doctor, restrict the food causing the allergy.
     1. Always check if the causative food or commonly cross-reactive foods are included before consuming food. Cross-reactivity: When an allergic symptom also appears in response to other foods that contain components similar to the causative food.
     2. Be aware that even small amounts on cooking utensils and dishes can cause symptoms.
     3. Be cautious about touching or inhaling food that causes allergy.
     4. Unnecessary dietary restrictions can harm the growth and development of children and adolescents.
  3. Patients with food allergies should carry emergency medication and know how to use it in case of sudden symptoms.
  4. Check for the resolution of old food allergies or the development of new ones through regular medical check-ups and counseling.
     1. Food allergies can change with age, so regular check-ups are necessary.
     2. Treatment for food allergies varies depending on the type and severity of the causative food and the patient's age, so always follow a doctor's instructions.
• Anaphylaxis
  1. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs rapidly and systemically.
  2. Know your personal causes and symptoms of anaphylaxis, become familiar with how to use a self-injectable epinephrine pen, and carry it at all times.
  3. If symptoms of anaphylaxis appear, administer the self-injectable epinephrine immediately if you have it, and go to the emergency room right away.
  4. Even if symptoms improve after administering self-injectable epinephrine, a secondary reaction may occur, so you must go to the emergency room promptly.
  5. Receive regular care from an allergy specialist for the diagnosis and management of the cause of anaphylaxis.
  6. Inform those around you that you have anaphylaxis so you can receive help in an emergency.
  7. Be aware that anaphylaxis caused by food can occur even from ingesting, inhaling, or touching a small amount of the food.
  8. In the case of drug-induced anaphylaxis, carry a drug safety card that lists prohibited drugs, allergic symptoms, and safe alternative drugs, and show it to doctors, nurses, and pharmacists at every prescription.
  9. People with anaphylaxis should inform childcare/educational institutions, workplaces, restaurants, etc., of the causative substance in advance to avoid exposure and prepare for emergencies.