Category Archives: Eczema

It is important for both patients and healthcare professionals to understand the connection between atopic eczema and allergy

Amena Warner

Up to 15 million adults and children are suffering from eczema in the UK.

The dry, itchy skin rash costs the NHS almost 170 million each year.

Eczema is common in babies but also affects older children and adults.

Researchers believe there is a vital link between allergies and developing eczema.

Amena Warner, Head of Clinical Services at Allergy UK, said: It is important for both patients and healthcare professionals to understand the connection between atopic eczema and allergy.

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Eczema is a common symptom which can be triggered by irritants and allergens as well as from a genetic tendency of dry skin. As well as a symptom, it can also be the gateway to allergic sensitisation, so when the body is exposed to that allergen there is a potential for a reaction.

Experts say its important to protect the skin barrier to help reduce the risk of allergen sensitivity.

If you have an intense itch or areas of dry, sensitive, red or inflamed skin, youre advised to see a doctor.

Warner said: Having an accurate and timely diagnosis is important for effective management of eczema and maintaining the skin barrier.

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Resist the itch - Eczema is almost always itchy no matter where it occurs on the body and although it may be tempting to scratch affected areas of the skin, this should be avoided as much as possible

Around 1.7 million school children are already suffering eczema in the UK.

Its estimated between 50-70 per cent of children with early onset eczema are sensitised to at least one allergen.

Natalie Newman, mother of Calum, aged 5, said early diagnosis can significantly reduce suffering.

She explained: Calums multiple allergies started from a really early age. His eczema was one of the key indicators that something wasnt right.

It took a long time for us to get a diagnosis and Calum now has to avoid 15 foods plus reduce exposure to multiple airborne triggers. His eczema still causes him a lot of distress when he experiences a bad flare up.

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I cannot stress how important it is for new parents to track their childs symptoms and discuss them with their GP.

Eczema isnt just a painful and irritating condition, it can also affect self-confidence.

Over half (52 per cent) of adults have head and neck eczema, while 50 per cent have it on their hands, all areas that are easily visible.

Allergy UK recommends using emollient on skin even when eczema isnt currently present, to keep in moisture and prevent any future flare ups.

You can also try cutting out certain foods like cows milk and wheat to help with the condition.

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Eczema treatment: Allergy link KEY to beating painful skin condition affecting 15m Brits - Express.co.uk

Skin conditions caused by allergies can not only be uncomfortable, but downright frustrating. How do you isolate what's causing you to react and what's the best way to treat your now very sensitive skin? And is there anything you can do to avoid becoming allergic in the first place? Dermatologist Dr Daniel Glass from The Dermatology Clinic London offers his advice on how to recognise, treat and eliminate skin allergies without confusion or concern.

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An 'allergy' is a reaction by the body's immune system to a substance, which for most people is harmless. Allergic reactions can cause symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes and rashes; however in their most severe form they can be fatal.

The most common allergy is hay fever, which is an allergic reaction to pollen, whilst other possible allergens include foods, drugs, insects, dust, pets as well as chemicals that come into contact with the skin such as nickel or rubber.

Maybe. Something called the filaggrin gene is involved in maintaining a healthy skin barrier. A mutation in the filaggrin gene has been found in about 10% of the general population of the UK and is linked to development of eczema and allergies. If the skin barrier is not functioning properly, substances may be getting through that normally would not, ultimately causing these skin conditions.

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Are you giving yourself eczema?

Cleaner may not necessarily be better. There's been a rapid increase in allergies in recent years. And the most popular explanation from scientists is the "Hygiene Hypothesis". It suggests that the cleanliness of the modern world is leaving our immune system confused, with a tendency to overreact.

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But we don't have enough evidence to say for sure yet. What we do know is that babies with less diverse gut bacteria are at higher risk of developing eczema and other allergies. After birth, maturing of the immune system takes place and studies show that specific early microbial exposure of the gut is thought to reduce the incidence of inflammatory, autoimmune and skin allergy diseases. Not enough exposure to bacteria could, in theory, leave our gut bacteria lacking, increasing our risk of allergy.

Many expectant mothers wonder if there's anything they can do to reduce the possibility of their baby going on to develop allergies. There's no overwhelming evidence for specific things pregnant women should try but there have been a few insightful studies. For instance, higher maternal concentrations of nicotinamide (vitamin B3) are associated with a lower risk of a baby having eczema at age 12 months. And increased levels of certain fish oil-derived fatty acids in pregnancy are thought to decrease wheeze and asthma in kids.

With this in mind it is highly beneficial for expectant mothers to ensure they have a balanced diet, allowing adequate intake of essential vitamins and fatty acids.

In general, allergy services globally appear not to have kept pace with increasing demand.

If over the counter treatments don't seem to be doing the trick and you're still unsure of what may be causing your skin allergy, make an appointment with a dermatologist. A dermatologist can try to determine the causes of these allergies by testing with either skin patch tests, prick tests or blood tests. They can also help optimise your skin care routine and to try to reduce flares of allergies such as eczema as well as decreasing the number of allergens getting through the skin.

Link:
Everything you've ever wondered about skin allergies - Netdoctor

Boston Business Journal

Sanofi Genzyme hit with patent lawsuit over new eczema drug Boston Business Journal Immunex Corp., a subsidiary of Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN), filed a complaint in Los Angeles federal court on April 5 claiming that an eczema drug developed by Sanofi (NYSE: SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: REGN) infringes a patent related to ... Amgen, already on PCSK9 offense, slaps Sanofi, Regeneron with Dupixent patent suitFiercePharma all 2 news articles »

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Sanofi Genzyme hit with patent lawsuit over new eczema drug - Boston Business Journal

Before we discuss about the natural remedies that will help you heal eczema, there are 4 things you need to consider about skin disorders: 1) the gastro intestinal system has a role in allergies 3) natural supplements do work 3) You must find the triggers and understand nutrition when replacing them 4) Drink more water

1) The gastro intestinal system has a role in allergies

The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) interacts strictly with gastrointestinal functions in a dynamic manner; for instance, by increasing intestinal permeability in replay to particular stimulations, or orientating the immune response towards luminal content, allowing either tolerance or elimination/degradation of luminal antigens, or sometimes provoking damage to the intestinal mucosa, such as in coeliac disease or food allergy.

3) Natural supplements do work

It is important to understand that the skin is the bodys largest organ, and is its foremost line of defense against disease. So, if your skin is showing signs of irritation, then you should approach its treatment holistically.

There are many studies on natural supplements: those who are made from plants and herbs! For example: an antioxidant substance called resveratrol, found in red grapes, is effective against many skin disorders because many of the skin conditions stem from ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress, this antioxidant appears to have promise and prospects against a wide range of cutaneous disorders.

3) You must find the triggers and understand nutrition when replacing them

Research has observed that in atopic dermatitis, dietary factors are more likely to cause an exacerbation among infants or children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis relative to other populations. Foods may trigger rapid, immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity reactions or may lead to late eczematous reactions.

So, you must find the triggers! This requires detective skills, observing your child eating habits and whether this or that food causes allergy related symptoms, such as: runny nose, cough, itchy skin where specific food touched, itchy eyes and wheeze. Milk protein allergy seems to be the most common type of food allergy that can trigger skin manifestations and respiratory issues. Read more on nutrition, for example: If you cut milk, what can you give the child for calcium? One good source of calcium is broccoli, but there are many others.

4) Drink more water

Drinking at least 8 glasses a day will help rid the body and skin of toxins. Water is essential for life and has an important role strong>in gastrointestinal function

Now, that you know skin disorders are many times a manifestation of what does on inside, but you also know that you can get it under control. Here are the top 5 natural remedies that will help you heal eczema:

Hemp seed oil

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The top 5 natural remedies that will help you heal eczema ... - eMaxHealth

April 14, 2017 4:55 PM By Dr. Maria Simbra

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Theres a new treatment for eczema, thats offering relief to patients.

Eucrisa was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in December.

It works on the overactive part of the immune system in eczema, a protein called phosphodiesterase.

Before, only a pill could quiet this enzyme.

This new formulation can be absorbed through the skin.

Unlike steroids, it can be used in sensitive areas where the skin may already be thin, such as the face, eye lids, and groin.

And its approved for use in kids as young as two.

In studies where it was compared to a plain moisturizer, the rash cleared for only one in five in the comparison group, but one in three using Eucrisa.

Researchers did find one minor side effect.

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About four percent of people who used it had pain when they put the medication on, Dermatologist Dr. Brian Horvath with Horvath Dermatology says.

But he says thats not unexpected for people with thin or broken skin.

However, he says Eucrisa may be best for treating what comes with the rash.

In the studies, this cream did a very nice job with the itch of eczema in particular, says Dr. Horvath.

Despite the success in studies, Eucrisa wont be first line treatment yet.

Instead it will be saved for tough to treat cases.

Thats because of the cost.

It costs $600 for an amount weighing as little as 30 paper clips.

It is expensive and still being worked out which insurances will cover it and which wont. Right now, there are manufacturer coupons allow people to pick up their medication with no out-of-pocket expense,Dr. Horvath says.

Dr. Maria Simbra is a multi award-winning medical journalist, who brings a unique set of skills to her position as medical reporter on KDKA-TV. VITALS Joined KDKA: 2002 Hometown: Morgantown, West Virginia Alma Mater:...

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) There's a new treatment for eczema, that's offering relief to patients. - CBS Pittsburgh / KDKA

By Reporter,15 Apr 2017 6.00am

Wearing silk clothing offers no additional benefit for children with moderate to severe eczema, a study involving researchers from the University of Dundee found.

The trial, led by the University of Nottingham, revealed wearing specialist silk garments did not reduce the severity of eczema for the children taking part.

The study, published in the journal PLoS Medicine and funded by the National Institute for Health Research, also showed silk clothing did not did reduce the amount of creams and ointments used for the childrens eczema, nor the number of skin infections experienced.

Eczema can have a huge impact on the quality of life of children and their families, particularly when sleep is affected. Some clothing can irritate the skin and make eczema worse, while silk and other types have been thought to sooth the skin.

The Clothing for the relief of Eczema Symptoms (Clothes) trial was the first large, randomised controlled test to evaluate use of silk garments for children with moderate to severe eczema. The trial also looked at whether use of the silk clothing was cost-effective.

Dundee researchers, led by Professor Sara Brown, a consultant dermatologist and Wellcome Trust senior research fellow in the universitys school of medicine, were responsible for testing 300 childrens DNA samples for mutations in filaggrin a protein known to play a role in eczema to see if genetic inheritance might make children more or less likely to benefit from silk clothing.

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Silk clothing 'no additional benefit' for children with eczema - Evening Telegraph

Specialist silk garments neither cut the severity of eczema in kids, nor do they reduce the amount of ointments used or the skin infections experienced by them.

Wearing silk clothing offers no additional benefit for children who suffer from moderate to severe eczema, claims a recent study.

The University of Nottingham research revealed that wearing specialist silk garments did not reduce the severity of eczema for the children taking part, not did it reduce the amount of creams and ointments used for their eczema, or the number of skin infections experienced.

Lead author Kim Thomas said: The silk garments that we looked at as part of this trial did not appear to provide additional clinical or economic benefits over standard care for the management of children with eczema.

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These results provide robust evidence to inform health commissioners and prescribers in making informed clinical decisions about the treatment of their patients, she added.

The clothing for the relief of Eczema Symptoms trial (CLOTHES trial), which involved recruiting hospitals from across the UK, was the first large, randomised controlled trial to evaluate the use of silk garments (DermaSilk or Dreamskin) for children with moderate to severe eczema.

Clothing has been thought to play a role in either soothing or making eczema symptoms worse, and specialist clothing is now available on prescription in the UK in a variety of forms (including silk).

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The participants were given either Dermasilk or Dreamskin clothing - the two brands of garments available on prescription at the time the trial was designed. Both brands are made with antimicrobially-protected, knitted, sericin-free 100 percent silk. The participants were given three sets of long-sleeved vest and leggings (or body suits and leggings depending on the age of the child) and were instructed to wear the clothing as often as possible during the day and night.

All the children continued with their regular use of emollient creams and topical corticosteroids for controlling inflammation, and were asked not to change their standard treatment for the duration of the trial if possible.

Thomas added: Whilst some may find these results disappointing, we hope that patients and doctors will find the clothes study useful in helping them to make informed decisions about how best to help children with eczema. Unfortunately, this trial suggests that silk clothing probably does not provide value for money for patients or for the NHS.

The research appears in PLOS Medicine.

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Wearing silk clothes does not aid eczema treatment in children - Hindustan Times

Eczema affects a large proportion of children and adolescents in the United States. New research investigates whether silk clothing improves health outcomes for children with eczema.

Eczema - also known as atopic dermatitis - is a chronic dermatological disease that causes the skin to itch and become very dry. Although the condition is not contagious, people with eczema may be vulnerable to other viral and bacterial skin diseases.

Atopic dermatitis affects approximately 30 percent of the U.S. population, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Children and adolescents seem to be particularly at risk of eczema, the NIH report.

Clothing seems to play an important role in the management of the disease. Patients are routinely advised to wear cotton or smooth fabrics and avoid materials such as wool, which may worsen the itching.

Furthermore, in countries such as the United Kingdom, specialist silk clothing is available on prescription for people with eczema.

As a result, a team of researchers from the University of Nottingham in the U.K. - led by Kim Thomas and colleagues - set out to investigate the benefits of wearing silk garments for children with eczema. The study was published in the journal PLOS Medicine.

Thomas and team conducted a randomized, controlled, and observer-blind trial - that is, the nurses who evaluated the patients were unaware of the treatment that the participants were undergoing - and called it the "CLOTHES Trial."

The team recruited 300 children aged between 1 and 15 who received community and secondary care for moderate to severe eczema across five medical centers in the U.K.

Participants were randomized into two groups: one group received standard care for eczema and wore silk clothing, while the other group received standard care alone.

In the first group, the children wore the silk clothing - which was made of 100 percent sericin-free silk - for 6 months. Using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), the researchers evaluated the severity of eczema at the beginning of the study, and then at 2, 4, and 6 months, respectively.

The researchers adjusted for the children's age and the medical center from which they were recruited.

Thomas and colleagues averaged the EASI score for the two groups and found no significant difference between them.

Specifically, 25 percent of the children in the silk garments plus standard care group developed skin infections, compared with 28 percent in the group that received only standard care. The small treatment effect was considered insignificant from a statistical and clinical standpoint, as the 95 percent confidence interval varied from 1.5 points in favor of silk garments to 0.5 in favor of standard care alone - a difference too small to be considered relevant.

Additionally, the study found no difference in the quality of life between the two groups.

Furthermore, the researchers calculated the cost of using silk therapeutically per quality-adjusted life year, and they concluded that silk garments are not cost-effective. The computed yearly cost amounted to 56,881, which corresponds to around $70,550.

The researchers explain the significance of the findings:

"The CLOTHES Trial is the first large, independent [randomized, controlled trial] to have evaluated silk garments for the management of eczema. The results of this trial suggest that silk garments are unlikely to provide additional clinical or economic benefits over standard care for children with moderate to severe eczema."

However, the authors also admit a limitation of the study: although using an objective primary outcome measure - namely, the EASI score, assessed by nurses who were blinded to the treatment - minimized detection bias, it may have also ignored changes in symptoms and underestimated the beneficial effects of the treatment.

Learn how an arthritis drug successfully treated eczema.

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Clinical trial finds no benefits of wearing silk for children with eczema - Medical News Today

No significant differences were observed in eczema severity for children with moderate to severe eczema who wore silk garments compared with those who wore their usual clothing, according to a randomized controlled study published in PLOS Medicine by Kim Thomas from University of Nottingham, UK, and colleagues.

Clothing may play a role in either exacerbating or soothing eczema, and patients often avoid wool garments and turn to cotton and other fine weave fabrics, including silk. In the new study, 300 children age 1 to 15 years with moderate to severe eczema were recruited from five UK centers covering a range of rural and urban settings. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: half the children received the standard of care and the other half received the standard of care plus silk garments that are claimed to be beneficial for eczema.

After 6 months, there was no significant difference in eczema severity -- based on the Eczema Area and Severity Index -- and no difference in quality of life or medication use between the groups. The researchers report that the garments are unlikely to be cost-effective even if the small differences between groups were genuine, with a computed cost per quality adjusted life year of silk garments to be GBP 56,811.

A limitation of the study is that the use of an objective outcome measure (an eczema severity score assessed by research nurses) may underestimate changes in symptoms.

The authors say: "The results of this trial suggest that silk garments are unlikely to provide additional clinical or economic benefits over standard care for children with moderate to severe eczema."

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Materials provided by PLOS. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Link:
Silk clothing did not improve eczema in children - Science Daily

FDA approved a new ointment for eczema that can help manage symptoms Miami Herald Eucrista, also called crisaborole, is an FDA-approved ointment used to treat mild to moderate eczema in adults and children ages 2 and older. It is not a steroid and does not cause skin thinning and other side effects that occur with prolonged steroid use.

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FDA approved a new ointment for eczema that can help manage symptoms - Miami Herald