LEO Pharma, in partnership with Allergy UK, has launched ‘Don’t Ignore’, a new out of home (OOH) awareness campaign designed to put the spotlight on chronic hand eczema (CHE).

Rolling out in everyday, high-traffic locations across bus stops, billboards and petrol pumps in Leeds and areas of South London and reaching people as they go about their daily routines, the campaign aims to prompt those living with persistent or recurring hand eczema to recognise the signs and seek GP advice sooner.

CHE is a fluctuating inflammatory skin disease, characterised by persistent itch, pain, redness and irritation on the hands and wrists. It is one of the most common skin disorders of the hands with a global prevalence rate of approximately 4.7%.

CHE is defined as hand eczema (HE) that lasts for more than three months or relapses twice or more within a year and can develop into a chronic condition.

CHE has been shown to impact patient quality of life, with approximately 70% of those with severe CHE admitting to problems in performing everyday activities and suffering disruption in their daily life due to the condition.

Simone Miles, CEO of Allergy UK, said: “Chronic hand eczema is more than just a skin condition, it impacts people’s daily lives, confidence and ability to work. Through the ‘Don’t Ignore’ Out of Home campaign, we want to empower people to recognise the signs early and seek support.”

Matt Ferriday, General Manager, LEO Pharma UK and Ireland, added: “Through the ‘Don’t Ignore’ Out of Home campaign, our shared aim is to encourage earlier recognition of chronic hand eczema and prompt timely conversations with healthcare professionals, so symptoms are taken seriously and acted on sooner.”

Protecting the scalp from harmful UV rays remains one of the most overlooked areas of the body, despite being highly vulnerable to sun damage.

According to Conal Perrett, Consultant Dermatologist at The Devonshire Clinic in London, one of the most common signs of scalp sunburn is flaking and peeling skin several days after sun exposure, something many people mistakenly assume is dandruff.

“People are often unaware they’ve burned their scalp until it starts to peel,” Perrett explained. “At that stage, many assume they’re experiencing dandruff or a dry scalp, when in reality the skin is shedding as part of the healing process following UV damage. If you’ve spent a prolonged period outdoors and suddenly notice flaking, tenderness or irritation around your scalp, sunburn may be the cause.

“Anyone can burn their scalp. While the risk is naturally higher for those with thinning hair or bald patches, no one is completely protected. Hair offers some defence against UV rays, but it shouldn’t be relied upon as a substitute for proper sun protection.”

Symptoms can include tenderness when brushing or washing hair, itching, redness along the hairline, warmth, sensitivity and flaking skin. Beyond the immediate discomfort, repeated UV exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer over time.

“Skin cancers, including melanoma, can and do develop on the scalp. Because the area is covered by hair, suspicious lesions may go unnoticed for longer compared with more visible areas such as the face, neck or arms. People tend to check moles and skin changes on exposed areas of the body, but very few routinely examine their scalp, which can potentially delay diagnosis,” added Perrett.

It’s important to know when to seek medical advice – most mild scalp sunburns improve within three to five days, but medical attention may be needed if people experience blistering, significant swelling, severe pain, fever, chills, dizziness, nausea or signs of infection.