BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI: The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) has launched 'Skin Safar Rath' campaign to create awareness on skin hygiene and skin related diseases.

The awareness campaign will stress the early detection and treatment of leprosy and eradication of the social stigma attached to vitiligo. The campaign van will be covering areas like Delhi-Gurugram-Karnal-Sonipat-Mumbai-Pune-Goa-Bangalore-Chennai-Hyderabad-Kolkata-Guwahat-Patna-Lucknow-Gwalior-Agra-Noida in 60 days.

Chairman of IADVL Dr Rohit Batra said, “This is aimed to bring awareness about skin health and make sure that qualified dermatologist is the right person for any skin problem.”

He told DTMT, “There is a rampant misuse of topical steroid fairness creams in the country. Steroids can damage the skin and people have been using it due to lack of awareness.”

Dr Batra has demanded that all creams containing  steroids should be available only after prescription as schedule H drugs.

Dr Mukesh Girdhar, national vice president IADVL said, “Quackery is the primary concern for any medical field and primarily in terms of skincare. Thus, we are also aiming to address the issue of quackery through this campaign.”

To educate the public, IADVL has planned LED screen on the rath which will show educational documentary and street play videos to create awareness among people  in their regional languages. The campaign will be making people aware about myths and facts of acne, fungal infections, leprosy, vitiligo and other skin related diseases.