Category Archives: Eczema

ECZEMA OVERVIEW

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a skin problem that causes dry, itchy, scaly, red skin. It can occur in infants, children, and adults, and seems more common in certain families. Eczema can be treated with moisturizers and prescription ointments.

More detailed information about atopic dermatitis is available by subscription. (See "Treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema)" and "Management of severe refractory atopic dermatitis (eczema)".)

ECZEMA CAUSES

The cause of eczema is not completely understood, although hereditary factors appear to play a strong role. In most people, atopic dermatitis is caused by a genetic dysfunction in the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis). The epidermis is the first line of defense between the body and the environment. When the epidermis is intact, it keeps environmental irritants, allergens, and microbes from entering the body.

Despite popular belief, in children, eczema is rarely linked to food allergies. If a food allergy is suspected, the child should be evaluated by an allergy specialist. (See "Patient education: Food allergy symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)" and "Role of allergy in atopic dermatitis (eczema)".)

ECZEMA SYMPTOMS

Most people with eczema develop their first symptoms before age five. Intense itching of the skin, patches of redness, small bumps, and skin flaking are common. Scratching can cause additional skin inflammation, which can further worsen the itching. The itchiness may be more noticeable at nighttime.

Features of eczema vary from one individual to another, and can change over time. Although eczema is usually confined to specific areas of the body, it may affect multiple areas in severe cases:

In infants, there may be red, scaly, and crusted areas on the front of the arms and legs, cheeks, or scalp. The diaper area is not usually affected.

In children and adults, eczema commonly affects the back of the neck, the elbow creases, and the backs of the knees (picture 1). Other affected areas may include the face, wrists, and forearms (picture 2). The skin may become thickened and darkened, or even scarred, from repeated scratching.

The skin can also become infected as a result of scratching. Signs of infection include painful red bumps that sometimes contain pus; a healthcare provider should be consulted if this occurs.

Other findings in people with eczema can include:

Dry, scaly skin

Plugged hair follicles causing small bumps to develop, usually on the face, upper arms, and thighs

Increased skin creasing on the palms and/or an extra fold of skin under the eye

Darkening of the skin around the eyes

ECZEMA DIAGNOSIS

There is no specific test used to diagnose eczema. The diagnosis is usually based upon a person's medical history and physical examination.

Factors that strongly suggest eczema include long-standing and recurrent itching, a personal or family history of allergic conditions, and an early age when symptoms began. Other factors include worsened symptoms after exposure to certain triggers or any of the skin findings noted above.

ECZEMA TREATMENT

Eczema is a chronic condition; it typically improves and then flares (worsens) periodically. Some people have no symptoms for several years. Eczema is not curable, although symptoms can be controlled with a variety of self-care measures and drug therapy.

Who treats eczema?Many patients with atopic dermatitis can initially be treated by their primary care provider. However, a skin specialist (dermatologist) may be recommended in certain situations, such as if the condition does not improve with treatment, if certain areas of the body are affected (face or skin folds), and if another condition could be causing symptoms.

Eliminate aggravating factorsEliminating factors that worsen eczema can help to control the symptoms. Aggravating factors may include:

Heat, perspiration, dry environments

Emotional stress or anxiety

Rapid temperature changes

Exposure to certain chemicals or cleaning solutions, including soaps and detergents, perfumes and cosmetics, wool or synthetic fibers, dust, sand, and cigarette smoke

Keep the skin hydrated

EmollientsEmollients are creams and ointments that moisturize the skin and prevent it from drying out. The best emollients for people with atopic dermatitis are thick creams (such as Eucerin, Cetaphil, and Nutraderm) or ointments (such as petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, and Vaseline), which contain little to no water. Emollients are most effective when applied immediately after bathing. Emollients can be applied twice a day or more often if needed. Lotions contain more water than creams and ointments and are less effective for moisturizing the skin.

BathingIt is not clear if showers or baths are better for keeping the skin hydrated. Lukewarm baths or showers can hydrate and cool the skin, temporarily relieving the itching of eczema. An unscented, mild soap or nonsoap cleanser (such as Cetaphil) should be used sparingly. An emollient should be applied immediately after bathing or showering to prevent the skin from drying out as a result of water evaporation.

However, hot or long baths (greater than 10 to 15 minutes) and showers should be avoided since they can dry out the skin.

In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend dilute bleach baths for people with eczema. These baths help to decrease the number of bacteria on the skin that can cause infections or worsen symptoms. To prepare a bleach bath, to cup of bleach is placed in a full bathtub (about 40 gallons) of water. Bleach baths are usually taken for five to ten minutes twice per week.

Treat skin irritation

Topical steroidsPrescription steroid (corticosteroid) creams and ointments may be recommended to control mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Steroid creams and ointments are available in a variety of strengths (potencies); the least potent are available without a prescription (eg, hydrocortisone 1% cream). More potent formulations require a prescription.

Steroid creams or ointments are usually applied to the skin once or twice per day. These help to reduce symptoms and moisturize the skin. As the skin improves, a non-medicated emollient can be resumed. Strong topical steroids may be needed to control severe flares of eczema; however, these should be used for only short periods of time to prevent thinning of the skin.

Other skin treatmentsNewer skin treatments for eczema include tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). These are effective in controlling eczema, although they do not work as quickly as topical steroids. They are useful in sensitive areas such as the face and groin, and can be used in children over age two. Due to safety concerns, these treatments should only be used as instructed by a healthcare provider.

Oral steroidsOral steroids (eg, prednisone) occasionally are used to treat a severe flare of eczema, although this treatment is not usually recommended on a regular basis because of potential side effects.

Ultraviolet light therapy (phototherapy)Ultraviolet light therapy (phototherapy) can effectively control atopic dermatitis. However, this therapy is expensive, may increase a person's risk for skin cancer, and is therefore recommended only for people with severe eczema who do not respond to other treatments.

Immunosuppressive drugsDrugs that weaken the immune system may be recommended for people with severe eczema who do not improve with other treatments. Treatment with these drugs can cause serious side effects, including an increased risk for infection.

Injectable medicationsThe injectable "biologic" medication dupilumab (brand name: Dupixent), which targets the immune system, may be beneficial for treating atopic dermatitis. Due to its high cost and potential side effects, this drug is reserved for adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis that has not responded to other treatments.

Control itching

Oral antihistaminesOral antihistamines sometimes help relieve the itching of eczema. The over-the-counter antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and prescription antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine (Atarax) and cyproheptadine, are most effective for itching caused by eczema, although these drugs can cause drowsiness.

The nonsedating antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) may relieve symptoms, and both are available without a prescription in the United States.

Wet dressingsWet dressings help soothe and hydrate the skin, reduce itching and redness, loosen crusted areas, and prevent skin injury from scratching. Dampened cotton garments may be worn over the affected area and covered with a dry garment. The person may wear these dressings overnight or change them every eight hours during the day.

Can eczema be prevented?Babies who have a parent, brother, or sister with eczema have a high risk of developing atopic eczema. In these babies, the use of moisturizing creams or ointments from the first week of life may prevent eczema during the first year. However, it is uncertain whether this measure is effective in preventing eczema later in life.

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION

Your healthcare provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem.

This article will be updated as needed on our website (www.uptodate.com/patients). Related topics for patients, as well as selected articles written for healthcare professionals, are also available. Some of the most relevant are listed below.

Patient level informationUpToDate offers two types of patient education materials.

The BasicsThe Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient might have about a given condition. These articles are best for patients who want a general overview and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials.

Patient education: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) (The Basics) Patient education: Seborrheic dermatitis (The Basics) Patient education: Giving your child over-the-counter medicines (The Basics) Patient education: Melasma (The Basics) Patient education: Peanut allergy (The Basics)

Beyond the BasicsBeyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed. These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are comfortable with some medical jargon.

Patient education: Food allergy symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)

Professional level informationProfessional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other health professionals up-to-date on the latest medical findings. These articles are thorough, long, and complex, and they contain multiple references to the research on which they are based. Professional level articles are best for people who are comfortable with a lot of medical terminology and who want to read the same materials their doctors are reading.

Approach to the patient with a scalp disorder Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (eczema) Introducing formula to infants at risk for allergic disease Primary prevention of allergic disease: Maternal diet in pregnancy and lactation The impact of breastfeeding on the development of allergic disease Treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema) Management of severe refractory atopic dermatitis (eczema) Role of allergy in atopic dermatitis (eczema)

The following organizations also provide reliable health information.

National Library of Medicine

(www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html)

National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

(www.niams.nih.gov/hi/index.htm)

American Academy of Dermatology

(www.aad.org)

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

(www.aaaai.org)

EczemaNet

(www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/)

National Eczema Association

(www.nationaleczema.org)

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Literature review current through: May 2017. | This topic last updated: Tue Apr 18 00:00:00 GMT+00:00 2017.

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Patient education: Atopic dermatitis (eczema) (Beyond the Basics)

Dr. Julian E. Canaday of Sedalia was a man of many interests. He produced a set of correspondence courses on horticulture, owned State Fair Floral Company on South Ohio Avenue, maintained several greenhouses at the corner of 16th Street and Limit Avenue, and owned the State Fair Floral Service Station, whose lot was lavishly planted with flowers. He was also a doctor specializing in the treatment of eczema.

The greenhouses and service station are gone, but State Fair Floral Company on South Ohio Avenue and the chimney that served the greenhouses, now at the State Fair Shopping Center, remain. The secret of his treatment for eczema is lost, but a book he wrote called Whys and Wherefores of Eczema is in the collection of the Pettis County Museum. The book provides an interesting look at what doctors knew and didnt know about skin diseases in the early twentieth century.

Cannaday begins with a definition of eczema and the causes of the disease. He describes it as a catarrhal inflammation of the skin. Catarrh was a term used in the 19th and early 20th centuries to refer to a buildup of mucus in the nose, throat and sinus cavities. The word eczema came from Greek words meaning to boil out of the blood. Thus, according to Cannaday, eczema was a blood disease with a skin eruption. He did not explain the relation of the blood disease and skin eruption to the buildup of nasal mucus.

Eczema was not caused, Cannaday believed, by a germ, but by an accumulation of acid in the blood. Acid in the blood was caused by improper living, such as poor diet, drinking of water, baths, use of soaps, etc., etc. The blood was poisoned by these things, and acid developed in the blood. The kidneys, assisted by the skin, normally filtered out the impurities in the blood. If the skin was injured or chaffed, the skin became irritated by the acid it filtered out, which oozed out as a straw-colored, watery discharge which dried, leaving a dirty, yellowing, greasy scab.

As the acid continued to filter out onto the skin, the disease progressed, causing itching, burning, and pain. The pain was Natures way of letting the patient know that something was wrong.

Eczema erupted in some people during certain seasons of the year because they ate too much of the foods that produced acid during the digestive process. People who worked strenuously and sweat a great deal suffered because the perspiration irritated the inflamed skin. Women frequently developed eczema on their hands because they had to place their hands in soap suds, extremely hot or cold water, dish water, and other liquids that interfered with the normal action of the skin.

Eczema did not cause death, Cannaday insisted, but the cause of eczema, the buildup of acid in the blood, could damage the kidneys and cause Brights disease, rheumatism, and other deadly diseases.

Cannaday identified a number of different kinds of eczema distinguished by the part of the body infected, the nature of the skin lesions, and the age of the patient. He attempted to explain the difference between psoriasis, lupus vulgaris, impetigo, severely chapped hands, and heat rash through the use of photographs of infected people.

He also promoted a cure. Next weeks column details of Cannadays diagnoses, the nature of his treatment, and some contemporary medical information about eczema.

http://www.sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Chalfant_-RhondaCMYK-3.jpg

Rhonda Chalfant is the president of the Pettis County chapter of NAACP and the Pettis County Historical Society.

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Dr. Cannnady's eczema diagnosis and treatment - Sedalia Democrat

28 June 2017 Link between eczema and heart disease disputed People with a form of eczema called atopic dermatitis may not be more likely to have heart trouble.

Many people struggle with the disfiguring effects of eczema, and it has even been linked to heart disease but there is some good news.

A new study found no association between higher risk of cardiovascular disease and atopic dermatitis.

According to the South African National Eczema Association (SANEA), dermatitis, also called eczema, refers to superficial, itchy skin inflammation. Acute lesions are red and swollen. Blisters may form which, on breakage, leak fluid leading to the formation of crusts.

A previous Health24 article, advises the following steps for the treatment of eczema:

Difference at molecular level

The authors of the new study analysed the medical records of nearly 260 000 Canadians between the ages of 30 and 74.

They found that the 7% with atopic dermatitis "were not at any increased risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart attacks or strokes," said lead author Dr Aaron Drucker. He's an assistant professor of dermatology at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

The study could not determine whether there might be a link between eczema severity and heart disease, Drucker said in a university news release. He added that he is now researching that.

The possibility that eczema and heart disease may be connected probably stems from a better-supported link between the skin disease psoraisis and heart disease, Drucker said.

While eczema and psoriasis are similar in some ways, they are different at the molecular level, which may be why only one appears to be linked to heart disease, he added.

Read more:

Fighting against eczema

Eczema treatments compared

Vitamin D might help kids with eczema

Eczema may be completely outgrown around puberty. It is rare for eczema to continue into old age.

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Link between eczema and heart disease disputed | Health24 - Health24

Even if you dont suffer from the skin condition yourself, you probably know what eczema looks like. Flaky patches of skin that cause itching and irritation. Rashes that can bubble up and crust over. Rough scales and dry, cracked skin. But knowing the signs of eczema is different from actually experiencing them. Just ask wellness expert and blogger Bianca Jade, also known as Mizzfit. In this video, we talk to the fitness influencer about how she handles her eczema, plus what she wants others to know about the skin condition that affects 30 million people in the United States.

A big misconception about eczema is that its contagious, but this isnt the case. Youre not going to get it by touching me, says Jade. Its not necessary to avoid contact with someone who has eczema, even if they are experiencing a flare-up.

Watch the video: 5 Things You Should Never Say to Someone With Eczema If you see someone that has it, maybe you will stare at it because thats just part of being a human beingyou stare at things that are different, says Jade. But that doesnt mean you need to attract attention to the persons skin. Mizzfits third tip is to avoid pointing out the skin conditionsomeone with eczema is aware they have it, and dont need you to remind them.

Jade adds that she wishes more people knew that eczema can take both a physical and emotional toll on people who have it. This is something the blogger has experienced firsthand: When she couldnt pick objects up or put on gloves due to severe eczema between her fingers, she felt frustrated and depressed.

Watch the video:What Its Like to Live With Eczema, According to Someone Who Has It

That brings Jade to her final point: Showing compassion to someone with eczema (or any skin condition, for that matter) goes a long way. Being sympathetic and offering to help out, knowing that that person is probably struggling with it, she says. Little thoughts of kindness are always nice. We couldnt agree more.

Originally posted here:
5 Things Someone With Eczema Wants You to Know - Eczema ... - Health.com

Miami Herald

Do newborns need moisturizer? Miami Herald Parents who have older children with eczema or other similar skin conditions might want to consider moisturizing their newborn's skin because atopic dermatitis has a genetic component and runs in families. The use of moisturizer beginning in the ...

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Do newborns need moisturizer? - Miami Herald

Eczema, a skin condition that causes red, itchy rashes, affects over 30 million people in the United States. Because the symptoms of eczema can be so visible, many people with this condition regularly hear frustrating comments. Whether its stares from a stranger or well-intentioned advice from that friend who thinks they have a medical degree, people with eczema are often on the receiving end of insensitive questions. In this video, we share five things you should never say to someone with eczema.

One of the most common questions eczema patients will get is whether or not their condition is contagious. The answer? No. While experts dont know the exact cause of eczema, genetics and environment are thought to play a role. So go ahead, give a friend with eczema a hug.

RELATED: The Best Ways to Cope With Eczema on Your Face, According to Dermatologists

Next, try to stop yourself from saying, At least its not While its true that eczema isnt life-threatening, it can be a serious burden. People with eczema need to be extremely careful about coming in contact with potential allergens, household chemicals, and even extreme weather, all of which may exacerbate symptoms. Itchy rashes can also keep people with eczema up at night and impact their relationships.

Watch the video:What Its Like to Live With Eczema, According to Someone Who Has It

Another piece of advice to avoid giving? You should use antibacterial soap. For one thing, eczema isnt the result of a lack of cleanliness. Plus, the product can actually aggravate, rather than alleviate, symptoms, experts say.

Finally, if youre not a specialist, steer clear of suggesting medications to your friends with eczema; most people have already tried many MD-recommended treatments and are aware of what works for their skin (and what doesnt). And dont draw attention to someones eczema flare-upever. OMG! Were you in a fire? What happened to you? is never a kind thing to say.

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5 Things People With Eczema Don't Want to Hear From You - Health.com

Leszek-Kobusinski/Shutterstock, Olga-Vorontsova/ShutterstockIve suffered with eczema for over 20 years. From my first year of life, the dry, scaly skin was all too familiar; every night, I would go through a nighttime routine of slathering greasy ointments and creams until the chunky layer of lotion became a whole other skin to me. The idea of short-sleeve shirts sent a shiver down my spine, and I often resorted to sweaters and jackets in 90 degree weather. When I was a kid, I even had to attend school with bandages wrapped around my inner elbows to prevent bleeding.

The perpetual itch lingering on my skin was like having a series of mosquito bites you can never scratch; do it and it just gets worse. Needless to say, it was not a pleasurable condition and Idid all Icould do to relieve it.

Fun fact: Pretty much every dermatologist you visit will look you sternly in the eyes and tell you there is no cure for eczema; its a chronic condition that youll just have to learn to live with. (Learn more about what common diseases you skin can reveal.) This is definitely not what anybody wantsto hear becauseits partly truethere is no official treatment or magical antibiotic you can swallow to completely eradicate those red patches. But fear not: there are several remedies that can come pretty close.

After speaking with several different doctors, I was told to try the topical steroid hydrocortisone at an early age. Hydrocortisone is no foreign substance to eczema sufferersthe famed medication is commonly used to treat redness, swelling, and itching, so eczema symptoms fit its usage to a T. Unfortunately, relief is oftentimes temporary, and frequent application is highly discouraged for its strong chemicals.

I wanted something that would last longer, work quicker, and treat better. Several fellow eczema sufferers proclaimed the beauty of aloe and its ability to work wonders. At the same time, my doctor informed me that using too many different eczema treatments in conjunction with one another can actually be less effective, so I dropped the army of dermatitis tubes and oatmeal scrubs sitting on my counter and replaced it with just two: aloe and hydrocortisone.

This combination worked wonders for me; using aloe alone was not effective and using hydrocortisone itself was not long-lasting. The mixture of the two, however, was able to not only soothe my nagging itch, but expunge the scaly patches entirely.

Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a Miami-based board certified dermatologist, offered up some insight as to why this can work. As a general guideline, itchy eczema skin should be kept cool. Cortisone 10 ointment is usually very helpful as it hydrates skin while delivering 1 percent hydrocortisone which had previously been available by prescription only. Together, the combination of hydrocortisone and aloe vera brings cooling relief to the skin, saysCiraldo.

Although raw aloe works best, we know it may not be ideal to start growing a garden of aloe plants on your windowsill. If you happen to do so, break open the thick part of the leaf and apply the gel directly onto the affected area. Otherwise, organic aloe fromyour local drugstore should do the trick just fine.

Keep an eye out for creams that combine the two elements into a single treatment; the one that I use from Equate is my holy grail go-to.

The treatment should only be applied to clean, freshly washed skin; directly after a shower is most ideal as it opens up your pores for easy absorption. From personal experience, applying ointment to dirty skin can aggravate your eczema even more, so keep the application strictly to the bathroom.

To maximize results, soak skin think of staying in a room temperature shower until your fingertips get all wrinkled, saysCiraldo. At this point your skin has replenished water levels back into the dry, eczema-affected skin. Pat dry and apply the 1 percent cortisone ointment to your skin while it is still damp.

Keep in mind that everybodys skin is different, so what worked for me might not work for the next guybut the combo is definitely worth a try to those yearning for some instant effects.

Excerpt from:
Yes, There's a Miracle Trick to Relieve Eczemaand It's Unbelievably Simple - Reader's Digest

Next they applied the experimental balm to the volunteers forearms, drastically increasing the numbers of their own helpful skin bacteria. Within 24 hours, the probiotic lotion nearly eliminated S. aureus from their skin. The researchers were also able to identify some of the compounds that the beneficial bacteria use to deter S. aureus.

Dr. Gallo and his collaborators published their results earlier this year in Science Translational Medicine.

Its the first time anything like this has been shown, said Elizabeth Grice, a research dermatologist and microbiologist at the University of Pennsylvania who was not involved in the experiment. What remains to be seen is whether this kind of treatment can reduce the severity of skin disease over the long term.

Only in the last few years have scientists seriously studied how to therapeutically modify the skins native colonies of microbes. Understanding this unique microbiome may yield new ideas for treating various dermatologic conditions.

Some studies suggest, for example, that people prone to acne carry more of the microbe Propionibacterium acnes on their skin. A disturbance in typical bacterial populations leads to conflict between P. acnes and neighboring species, the theory goes, which in turn triggers an inflammatory response in the skin.

In another study published late last year, Dr. Gallo and his colleagues injected a beneficial strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis, along with some food that only it could digest, into the ears of mice. The combination treatment, known as a synbiotic, encouraged the growth of S. epidermidis, which in turn reduced both the number of P. acnes and level of inflammation in the mice.

Other scientists have been reporting similar findings. In 2014, a team in South Korea and the United States showed that an extract from Helicobacter pylori a common resident of the human stomach also can inhibit P. acnes and decrease skin inflammation in mice.

Scientists in Canada have demonstrated that people who take both probiotics and antibiotics have significantly fewer acne lesions after 12 weeks, compared with people who take only one or the other.

Several private companies are racing to capitalize on a growing consumer appetite for probiotic cosmetics, toiletries and topical treatments. The biotech company AOBiome offers a live probiotic spray, for instance, that is meant to replenish populations of beneficial skin bacteria.

Many microbiologists worry, however, that the science is nowhere near advanced enough to justify the proliferation of these products. Scientists still have a lot to learn about what microbial ecosystems look like on healthy skin, how they change during illness, and how to safely interfere.

Topical probiotics can easily rub off and be transferred to other parts of the body or other people, Dr. Grice pointed out. Just because a microbe kills one species of pathogen does not mean it is unwaveringly good or peaceful.

And what if the bacteria in a lotion or spray were to infiltrate the body via a cut or scratch?

Dr. Grice agreed, however, that the idea is intriguing. Whereas typical antibiotics and antiseptics indiscriminately kill all kinds of bacteria throughout the body and drive the evolution of highly dangerous microbes impervious to existing drugs, probiotics may be much more selective.

And probiotics that successfully colonize the body have the unique ability to evolve in concert with a surrounding ecosystem. After all, genuine microbe-based therapies are not just cocktails of molecules; they contain living organisms that persist and adapt. Dr. Gallo calls his experimental lotion an evolutionarily honed treatment.

There are so many new potent medicines right under our nose, he said.

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The Solution for Skin Ailments Could Be Right Under Your Nose - New York Times

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London Monday June 26, 2017

Exposure to sunlight releases a compound from the skin that can alleviate symptoms of eczema, research has found.

The molecule, called nitric oxide, works by dampening inflammation, which causes itchy skin associated with the condition.

Scientists say their findings pave the way for new therapies which mimic the effects of the suns rays and could help patients avoid light therapy, which can have damaging side effects on the skin such as raising cancer risk.

Lead researcher Dr Anne Astier, of the Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research at the University of Edinburgh, said: Our findings suggest that nitric oxide has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and could offer an alternative drug target for people with eczema.

Tests on healthy volunteers found that exposing a small patch of skin to UV light triggers a release of nitric oxide into the blood stream.

Further studies found the chemical activates specialised immune cells called regulatory T cells, which act to dampen ongoing inflammation.

The University of Edinburgh team found patients with eczema saw the increased number of these cells in their blood following light therapy fitted with disease improvement.

Researchers say their findings could lead to new therapies for the condition, which affects around one in five children and one in 20 adults in the UK.

People with severe forms are often prescribed tanning lamps to help manage their symptoms, but these can cause skin burning, accelerated ageing and increased risk of cancer.

Professor Richard Weller, senior lecturer in Dermatology at the University of Edinburgh, said: It is clear that the health benefits of sunlight stretch far beyond vitamin D and we are starting to fill in these blank spaces.

The study is published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

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Sunlight could be key to eczema relief - InDaily

If you struggle with a health condition, its important to remember that youre not alone. In fact, many celebrities have dealt with serious health problems such as endometriosis and multiple sclerosis. And many of these A-listers have taken advantage of their public positions to speak out about their illness in an effort to help end any stigma surrounding it, as well as offer support to others facing similar challenges. In this video, see eight inspiring stars who have opened up about what its like to live with a serious health condition.

Watch the video: 6 Tricks to Stop Scratching if You Have Eczema

No time to watch? Check out a collection of their quotes below:

Sarah Hyland

After having a kidney transplant in 2012 for kidney dysplasia, she spoke up about dealing with body-shamers: I dont mind when you say that I look pregnant. Or fat. Because I know that my face is swollen from my medication that is saving my life. For those on prednisone I know what youre going through and I commend you sticking it out as I have. @Sarah_Hyland, 2017

Lena Dunham

After being hospitalized due to complications from endometriosis: I also want to remind all the women suffering from chronic illness that we aren't weak- quite the opposite, actually. We do our jobs with skill even when we're struggling.[E]veryone who's anyone knows that if you can battle chronic illness there's nothing you can't take on. @lenadunham, 2017

Watch the video: What It's Like to Live With Eczema, According to Someone Who Has It

Padma Lakshmi

On endometriosis: Endometriosis was definitely a major reason that my marriage failed. I dont think either of us understood it at the time. I think thats also because I hid it to a certain degree. Entertainment Weekly, 2016

Susan Sarandon

On endometriosis: Suffering should not define you as a woman, and just because youre a man it doesnt mean that it does affect you! Endometriosis Foundation of America Blossom Ball, 2009

Kim Kardashian

On psoriasis: I have that one patch on my right leg that is the most visible. I dont even really try to cover it that much anymore. Sometimes I just feel like its my big flaw and everyone knows about it, so why cover it? After this many years, Ive really learned to live with it. Kardashians app, 2016

Watch the video: 5 Things Someone With Eczema Wants You to Know

Jamie Lynn Sigler

On multiple sclerosis: When I walk, I have to think about every single step, which is annoying and frustrating.Its part of me, but its not who I am. People, 2016

Robin Roberts

On learning that she landed an interview with Barack Obama (that would occur the following day) on the day she endured a painful bone marrow extraction for the blood condition myelodysplastic syndrome: [It] reminds me that God only gives us what we can handle and that it helps to have a good sense of humor when we run smack into the absurdity of life.ABC News, 2013

Halle Berry

On living with type 1 diabetes: I became much healthier as I learned how to manage it. It took a couple of years, and some scary situations, to accept that it was a lifestyle change and not a diet I could stop in six months. LA Times, 2015

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8 Celebrities on How They Cope With a Serious Health Condition - Health.com