Korean Job Discussion Forums

Karabeara · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:48 pm Post subject: Atopy and other skin problems

I'm not sure I'm spelling it right, but my friend said that 10% of all Korean babies are now born with Atopy (that's what it sounds like when she says it, anyway). It is a sort of continuing dry skin problem where the person will have severely dry/itchy skin their whole life. I have had two students with this, and it looks just terrible. Like a curse.

I know my skin doesn't do so well here, and I need creme to keep it from festering up from dryness in the winter time.

The pollution must be just horrible. Is this a common problem in other big cities around the world?

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

Some of the kids I teach have it very bad. That being said, I knew some kids back home in Australia who had excema as well. I wouldn't care to hazzard a guess on the numbers here, can anyone find any reliable statistical info on this? Someone did mention to me that certain food additives used here may be to blame, but again, I am sceptical until further info arrives.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

In Korea, people seem to think any allergic reaction and irritation to the skin is atopy, but they aren't. It's a totally wrong usage of the word. Diaper and heat rashes aren't atopy. Atopy is a general term used to describe hereditary allergies that result in eczema and other such things. Besides, in English it's more commonly used to describe allergic reactions in dogs.

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

My ex-girlfriend had a terrible case of atopic eczema over nearly her entire body as a child. Today it's limited to the backs of her arms. I think it itches pretty constantly but it's neither not so bad or she is used to it enough that she doesn't much bother to take proper care of it.