Atopic dermatitis patients run to good health! Chang Gung Yongqing Cup Road Race will start simultaneously in four locations on 9/22

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, recurring inflammatory skin disease that is common in newborns and young children. In Taiwan, an average of 1 in 10 children suffer from it, with noticeable itching and rashes. In order to encourage this group of patients to develop exercise habits and promote physical health, this year's "Chang Gung Yongqing Cup Road Race" specially invited doctors to provide safe exercise methods. At the same time, Huang Yingxuan, the silver medalist of the women's 46kg Taekwondo in the 2021 Chengdu Universiade and a caregiver of the Chang Gung Sports Medicine Charity Program, was invited to serve as the event spokesperson, calling on everyone to run with their families on 9/22.

The Chang Gung Yongqing Cup Road Race is being held for the 15th time this year. Taichung Dali Ren Ai Hospital, which formed a cooperative alliance with Chang Gung three years ago, is also participating for the first time. The race will start simultaneously with Taipei, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung on the morning of September 22. The Taipei venue was held in the square in front of the Presidential Palace, the Taichung venue was held at the Central Stadium in Xitun District, and the Chiayi venue and Kaohsiung venue were jointly held in conjunction with the National Palace Museum Southern Branch and Chengcing Lake Baseball Stadium respectively. The competition is divided into leisure group and competition group, and it is expected that more than 40,000 people will participate.

Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital President Huang Jiren called on the people to develop the habit of regular exercise. Deputy Director of the National Health Administration, Jia Shuli, said that the government is well aware that prevention is better than cure, and that only by encouraging all citizens to develop healthy behaviors can they truly live a healthy and quality life. Deputy Director Wu Jianqun of the Taipei City Government Sports Bureau emphasized that the Taipei City Government has been the guiding unit since the inception of the Yongqing Cup Road Race, which shows that the Taipei City Government attaches great importance to the health of citizens. With the investment of the Taipei City Government Sports Bureau, the proportion of citizens with regular exercise habits is among the highest in the country.

President Gong Jiade of the Ren Ai Chang Gung Hospital pointed out that a healthy body is the foundation of everything. Running can improve cardiopulmonary function, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, promote metabolism, strengthen muscles and bones, enhance immunity, and reduce stress and anxiety. It has many benefits.

Taekwondo national player Huang Yingxuan was invited to be the spokesperson for this year's road running. She shared her past experience of participating in road running. She believes that in addition to strengthening physical fitness outside of training, she also likes the atmosphere of running with everyone and enjoys the pleasure brought by outdoor sports. She hopes that everyone can develop the habit of regular exercise and pay attention to physical health.

Following last year’s lung cancer transplantation issue, this year’s Chang Gung Yongqing Cup Run will focus on atopic dermatitis. 15-year-old Chen said at the press conference that he had been suffering from atopic dermatitis since he was one year old. In severe cases, he would feel very painful whenever he moved. In addition, his appearance was affected and he was unable to play with other children. His mother took him to various medical institutions and tried various folk remedies. It was not until he was 9 years old that his symptoms were gradually brought under control with the help of a dermatologist at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou and his own cooperation.

Currently, Chen’s appearance has not only improved significantly, but he can also exercise regularly and join the school team. He called on patients with atopic dermatitis to follow the doctor's advice, take medication consistently and take care of their skin, and their symptoms will definitely improve and they will be able to live the same life as ordinary people. He was very happy to be invited to participate in this year's Yongqing Cup Road Race, and hoped that by sharing his own experience, he could encourage more patients with atopic dermatitis to pursue a better life.

Dr. Chen Junbin from the Department of Dermatology at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital pointed out that atopic dermatitis is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease that is common in newborns and early childhood. In Taiwan, an average of 1 in 10 children suffer from the disease. The disease causes noticeable itching and rashes, which seriously affect the patient's quality of life and cause great distress to parents. The causes of atopic dermatitis include genetic factors, environmental factors, and immune system abnormalities. The patient's skin barrier function is weak, easily affected by external stimuli, and immune regulation is disordered, leading to a vicious cycle of inflammation and damaged skin barrier.

The Chang Gung Yongqing Cup Road Race will start simultaneously in four locations on September 22. (Photo provided by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital)

Current treatments for atopic dermatitis include topical immunosuppressants and topical steroid ointments. For patients with moderate to severe disease, systemic treatment is recommended. In addition to traditional oral immunosuppressants, emerging biologics and oral targeted drugs can be considered to more effectively and safely control atopic dermatitis. Currently, national health insurance already provides conditional coverage.

Zhang Yajing, director of the Dermatology Department of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, recommends that patients with atopic dermatitis should use moisturizer regularly, at least twice a day, especially after bathing. At the same time, you should choose mild skin care products that do not contain fragrances and alcohol. After moderate exercise, washing away sweat as soon as possible and keeping the skin hydrated will help control symptoms, allowing patients to exercise with confidence and develop healthy exercise habits.

Yongqing Cup Road Race