Category Archives: Eczema

We're creating a positive news network. We need your help.

It often takes time foran ailment to show its true colours, and by the time it rears its ugly head, theres no preventative way to handle it. But our largest organ, our skin, is really good at telling us that somethings up. We can both feel and see it in a way that we simply cannot with other parts of the body.

But one thing we cant see so easily on our skinarecrawling bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even tiny mites. This thought alone might be enough to make you run to the shower, butsuch skin-dwelling organisms work to produce chemicals to kill harmful bacteria to keep us healthy.

Though skin has a mixture of healthy and harmful bacteria, the ratio can sometimes be imbalanced, causing conditions likeatopic dermatitis (AD) the most common form of eczema, which createsinflamed and irritated skin.

People with this type of eczema, for some reason thats not quite known yet, have a lot of bacteria on the skin but its the wrong type of bacteria, dermatologist Richard Gallo from UC San Diego explained.Theyre not producing the antimicrobials they need.

Though our bodies can produce some antimicrobial chemicals on their own,scientists from the University of California-San Diego, the University of California-Berkeley, and the University of Rochester found that some bacteria on our skin are better at it.

For their work,Gallo and his team looked at skin culture swabs taken from 30 healthy people and 49 subjects with AD. They discovered, after screening thousands of colonies of bacteria, that healthy peoples skin is rich intwo bacterial species Staphylococcus hominis and Staphylococcus epidermis bothcapable of fighting off a harmful kind of bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus, which is the bacterium that can cause staph infections via a cut or scrape.

The team then tested personalized lotions on five patients with eczema. It is known that people with this condition have less diverse microbial communities on their skin, resulting in the rashes. It also puts them at greater risk of infections. Though each of the five patients had an overload ofS. aureus, they all had different colonies of various other bacteria, so the researchers swabbed each of theirskin microbiomes and came up with specialized antimicrobial lotions for each of them.

The researchers gave each patient the custom lotion to put on one arm, and regular lotion to put on the other. The results revealed that, after one day without washing, the arms treated with the custom lotion showed a significant reduction in staph populations, whereas the regular lotion had no effect.

We now have a rational therapeutic approach for atopic dermatitis by using bacterial transplant technology, Gallo said.It appears that people with this disorder will need to have it reapplied because their body does not naturally promote the growth of these organisms. The good thing is this is easy to do because its just a cream.

The researchers hope that the antimicrobial lotions will eventually be able to be used in place of antibiotics for staph infections, and perhaps even cure eczema.

Its a big step towards using microbial therapies to treat skin disease, immunologist Shruti Naik from Rockerfeller University, who wasnt involved with the study, said.It will be interesting to take it a step further, and test if the beneficial microbes can dampen or cure eczema.

Your life path number can tell you A LOT about you.

With the ancient science of Numerology you can find out accurate and revealing information just from your name and birth date.

Get your free numerology reading and learn more about how you can use numerology in your life to find out more about your path and journey. Get Your free reading.

Originally posted here:
Scientists Are Using People's Own Microbes To Create ... - Collective Evolution

Regeneron makes an eye disease drug and a cholesterol drug in East Greenbush. The Tarrytown drug company had $4.1 billion in revenue in 2015.

Regeneron makes an eye disease drug and a cholesterol drug in East Greenbush. The Tarrytown drug company had $4.1 billion in revenue in 2015.

The sign outside of Regeneron's East Greenbush facility. ORG XMIT: MER2015091110332269

The sign outside of Regeneron's East Greenbush facility. ORG XMIT: MER2015091110332269

Rollout of Regeneron's new eczema drug could be most lucrative of the year

East Greenbush

A new eczema treatment could be worth billions of dollars for Tarrytown-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, which has its manufacturing operations in East Greenbush.

Barely three months into the year, analysts are predicting the company's pending Dupixent drug could be the most lucrative pharmaceutical launch of 2017, with annual revenues topping $4.6 billion by 2022, according to EvaluatePharma, a biotech research group.

The drug, which is awaiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration, would be the first treatment of its kind for the estimated 8.5 million people who suffer from moderate and severe variations of the skin disease. Until now, the condition was usually treated with steroid creams.

The launch of the drug could pose a test for the company, which has previously broken from other drug industry leaders that have turned to price increases, and mergers and acquisitions, to bolster revenue.

To hit peak annual sales, Dupixent would have to carry a $25,000 per customer per year price tag, but Regeneron said it would prefer to keep those prices reasonable.

"There is no competition, so from a market perspective we would be free to price the drug at a very robust price," Regeneron CEO Leonard Schleifer told the Financial Times Monday. "But I feel that we should be responsible, and price the drug responsibly."

The news follows a rough period during which Regeneron's stock slid by 30 percent last year as the result of a patent suit with rival Amgen over anti-cholesterol drug Praluent. The drug was initially banned from U.S. sales last year but later allowed after a federal appeals court granted a stay in February.

The brief downturn hasn't slowed Regeneron's operations in the Capital Region, where it continues to expand and build after a decade of skyrocketing international sales and revenue. Last month, the company's plan for a warehouse of up to 190,000 square feet was approved by the East Greenbush Town Board. The 98-acre site in Mill Creek Commerce Park will create 100 new jobs over two years with a payroll of $5 million, according to the environmental impact statement, bringing the company's total Capital Region employment number to nearly 2,000.

Shares (Nasdaq: REGN) gained 65 cents Monday to close at $388.88.

RDownen@timesunion.com - 518-454-5018 - Follow @RobertDownenTU

See the article here:
Rollout of Regeneron's new eczema drug could be most lucrative of the year - Albany Times Union

Dyshidrotic eczema is characterized by the development of blisters on the palms of hands or soles of feet. They can also appear on fingers and toes. The blisters are itchy and typically last for a few weeks. They may be caused by seasonal allergies, stress and making contact with certain types of metals such as nickel. The good news is that dyshidrotic eczema is manageable and is not contagious.

Symptoms

Eczema generally causes redness and itching, regardless of what type it is. Symptoms of dyshidrosis include blisters, itching, flaking, redness, cracked skin, discomfort and pain. Understanding the eczema you have, symptoms and triggers makes it easier to manage and treat it.

Controlling and Preventing Outbreaks

Diagnosis

A careful skin examination will enable your doctor to diagnose the condition. Since the symptoms may be similar to other skin conditions that affect skin, further tests such as skin biopsies may be recommended. Allergy testing may also be considered if dyshidrotic eczema is linked to allergies.

Treatment Solutions

There are different ways to treat dyshidrosis and these are usually determined by how severe the outbreak is as well as other pertinent factors. You may need to try different treatments before identifying the best one for your situation.

Conclusion

Dyshidrotic eczema typically disappears within weeks and if you do not constantly scratch affected areas, there will be no noticeable scars. Scratching affected parts of the skin is likely to increase discomfort and lengthen the healing process. Avoid making pain and itching worse by not scratching or breaking the blisters.

See the original post here:
Dyshidrotic Eczema- Causes, Symptoms and Solutions - Times Square Chronicles (press release) (registration)

I have suffered from eczema for many years. I dont want to use the over-the-counter or prescription medications that are available they never seem to work well and often come with side effects that I dont need. A more natural lotion like this one is a welcome addition to my supply of products that dont include unhealthyingredients.

If you know anything about eczema, keeping the skin moist is very important. Most creams dont seem to accomplish this very well. Some store-bought creams even include petroleum. That is not a good ingredient to be using on a daily basis! Petroleum products are not environmentally friendly and not good for your body.

Using more natural ingredients gives me a more effective treatment. I can also use it as often as I need. This helps my skin stay moist and soft while helpingeczema to heal faster. This cream is very rich and soaks into my skin quickly. I know you will lovethe results as well!

1. Measure out the ingredients.

2. Place shea butter and coconut oil in a microwaveable bowl.

3. Place in microwave and slowly melt.

4. Add honey while it is still warm. Stir to melt the honey.

5. Allow the mix to cool. I put it in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. This will help the process go faster.

6. After it has cooled, add the essential oils.

7. Using a hand mixer, mix until the solution becomes frothy and light. This may take a while but the results are worth it for a little patience.

8. Place in aglass jar with a lid. Enjoy!

Leilani Hampton

Continued here:
Heal Your Eczema With This Natural Moisturizing Lotion - The Alternative Daily (blog)

Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS) 3:36 p.m. CT March 11, 2017

Eczema is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically and then subside.(Photo: Maksym Bondarchuk/Dreamstime, TNS)

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy. Its common in children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically and then subside. It may be accompanied by asthma or hay fever.

No cure has been found for atopic dermatitis. But treatments and self-care measures can relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks. For example, it helps to avoid harsh soaps and other irritants, apply medicated creams or ointments, and moisturize your skin.

To help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin, try these self-care measures:

Take an oral allergy or anti-itch medication. Options include nonprescription allergy medicines (antihistamines) such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or fexofenadine (Allegra). Also, diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others) may be helpful if itching is severe. But it can make you drowsy, so its better for bedtime.

Take a bleach bath. A diluted-bleach bath decreases bacteria on the skin and related infections. Add 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of household bleach, not concentrated bleach, to a 40-gallon (151-liter) bathtub filled with warm water measures are for a U.S.-standard-sized tub filled to the overflow drainage holes. Soak from the neck down or just the affected areas of skin for about 10 minutes. Do not submerge the head. Rinse, pat dry and moisturize. Take a bleach bath no more than two or three times a week.

Apply an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to the affected area. A nonprescription hydrocortisone cream, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone, can temporarily relieve the itch. Apply it to the affected area before you moisturize. Once your reaction has improved, you may use this type of cream less often to prevent flare-ups.

Moisturize your skin at least twice a day. Use a moisturizer all over while your skin is still damp from a bath or shower. Pay special attention to your legs, arms, back and the sides of your body. If your skin is already dry, consider using oil or lubricating cream.

Avoid scratching. Cover the itchy area if you cant keep from scratching it. Trim nails and wear gloves at night.

Apply cool, wet compresses. Covering the affected area with bandages and dressings helps protect the skin and prevent scratching.

Take a warm bath. Sprinkle the bath water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal a finely ground oatmeal that is made for the bathtub (Aveeno, others). Soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then pat dry and apply medicated lotions, moisturizers or both (use the medicated form first).

Choose mild soaps without dyes or perfumes. Be sure to rinse the soap completely off your body.

Use a humidifier. Hot, dry indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen itching and flaking. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace adds moisture to the air inside your home. Keep your humidifier clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Wear cool, smooth-textured cotton clothing. Reduce irritation by avoiding clothing thats rough, tight, scratchy or made from wool. Also, wear appropriate clothing in hot weather or during exercise to prevent excessive sweating.

Treat stress and anxiety. Stress and other emotional disorders can worsen atopic dermatitis. Acknowledging those and trying to improve your emotional health can help.

See your doctor if your atopic dermatitis symptoms distract you from your daily routines or prevent you from sleeping.

Read or Share this story: http://www.gosanangelo.com/story/life/wellness/2017/03/11/home-remedies-painful-irritation-eczema/99065886/

See the original post:
Home remedies: the painful irritation of eczema - San Angelo Standard Times

Andrew Blauvelt, Oregon Medical Research Center

Sometime over the next few days or weeks, the FDA will likely hand Regeneron and Sanofi an approval for Dupixent (dupilumab), their groundbreaking IL-4/IL-13 inhibitor for eczema which a number of analysts have projected will go on to grab $4 billion-plus a year in annual sales. And theyll hit the market with some stellar new 16- and 52-week data from another Phase III study as they go up against Pfizers newly approved Eucrisa (crisaborole, targeting PDE4).

We knew last year that dupilumab had hit its marks in the pivotal SOLO trials as well as CHRONOS, setting it up as possibly the top drug launch slated for 2017. Over the weekend, investigators turned out with some new goal post data for CHRONOS that will do nothing to take the shine off of its big market predictions.

In CHRONOS, researchers recruited patients whose eczema wasnt controlled by topical therapies including corticosteroids. They were divvied up into three groups: weekly 300 mg doses of dupilumab with topical corticosteroids (TCS), once every two weeks doses with TCS or TCS alone.

In the new CHRONOS data reviewed at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Orlando over the weekend, investigators noted that the severe itching patients are afflicted by was reduced by 55% and 58% in the two drug arms after 16 weeks, compared to 29% of patients on TCS alone. And the disease score rating for patients dropped by 4 or more points among 77% of the patients in the drug arms compared to 37% of the placebo/topical corticosteroid group.

At 52 weeks the improvement in the itching score held steady at 54% and 56% in the drug ams and 27% in the placebo group. And the 4-point-plus improvement in disease score was maintained by 65% and 76% of the patients on drug, compared to 26% on only topical corticosteroids.

Compare that to the primary goal in the crisaborole study for mild to moderate eczema:

More crisaborole- than vehicle-treated patients achieved (Investigators Static Global Assessment) score success (clear/almost clear with 2-grade improvement; AD-301: 32.8% vs 25.4%, P=.038; AD-302: 31.4% vs 18.0%, P<.001), with a greater percentage with clear/almost clear (51.7% vs 40.6%, P=.005; 48.5% vs 29.7%, P<.001).

Thats what Pfizer paid $5.2 billion for when it acquired Anacor.

Together, these drugs are expected to make a crucial difference for a big group of patients who have limited treatment options. But Regeneron and Sanofi are clearly gunning for the lions share of the market with a much broader range of late-stage data to take to payers and physicians.

They need a clear win here. Their drug sarilumab was held up by the FDA last fall over manufacturing issues. And their big PCSK9play turned into an embarrassing defensive effort to beat back a judges ruling that their drug should be pulled due to patent violations.

These new results build upon previous positive Phase III monotherapy data. In the CHRONOS study, Dupixent used with topical corticosteroids showed significantly greater clearance of skin lesions and overall disease severity compared to topical corticosteroids alone, which are commonly prescribed for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, said Andrew Blauvelt, president of Oregon Medical Research Center and principal investigator of the study. This study provides positive long-term data for Dupixent, which is important given atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Additionally, the presentation highlights the critical role of IL-4 and IL-13 as drivers of this atopic condition.

Read more here:
Regeneron, Sanofi, get ready to duke it out with Pfizer over a ... - Endpoints News

Yes, you can treat your stressed-out skin topicallyand you're going to want to treat each condition as you would normally, regardless of whether it's caused by stress or not, says Dr. Gohara. Foracne, eczema, and psoriasis, a gentle, non-soap cleanser is key. And for acne, topical meds including those with benzoyl peroxide, retinol, or salicylic acidwork best. Obv, most treatments are condition-specific and best prescribed by your derm.

But that's treating the symptoms of stress rather than the root cause. Stress management is more about what's going on inside rather than outside, which is why taking care of that mental stuff is a priority. It is clear that a skinmind relationship does exist. There's so much of an overlap between dermatologic conditions and psychiatric conditions that there's an entire subspecialty within dermatology called psychodermatology, says Dr. Brown.

When it comes to treating stress that sends your skin off the wall, you can do the same stuff that chills you out otherwise. There have been studies in which acupuncture and massage therapy have been shown to reduce flare-ups and improve the state of people's eczema and their psoriasis, says Dr. Brown. But anything else that reduces stressmeditation, exercise, yoga, deep breathing, a little #selfcarecan go a long way.

Read the original post:
5 Skin Conditions That Get Worse with Stress (and How to Chill) - Shape Magazine

By Tiffany Tseng. May 7th 2016

Have you ever had a red, itchy rash that does not go away? Chances are, it may be eczema. While mild eczema is not life threatening, it may be extremely uncomfortable with an itch. Symptoms usually vary depending on the individual, and may include dry, scaly, red and itchy skin. If left untreated, constant scratching may lead to bleeding, crusting, or broken skin open to possible infection. It is usually easily diagnosed by doctors by a physical check-up, and most of the time, does not require biopsies or additional testing.

According to the National Eczema Association, the term "eczema" is a general term used to describe dermatitis and can be interchangeably used. Although it comes in many forms, eczema mostly describes a dry skin condition that may be relieved by moisturizers and emollients. This skin condition is not contagious, so you cannot pass it on to other people or catch them from someone else.

A specific cause for eczema has yet to be identified. Many believe that this skin condition is attributed to a combination of factors that include:

Many of these factors are still speculation, with further research needed to confirm a specific cause for eczema. Factors like asthma and hay fever that are often associated with eczema could pose as possible leads. However, not all people who have been diagnosed with eczema have shown these particular medical conditions.

Since eczema can refer to various types of irritated skin, the types can almost be endless. Here are some of the more common types of eczema:

The most common symptom of eczema is red, swollen and itchy skin. The symptoms may vary depending on the specific type of eczema you are dealing with. Blisters and scaly patches are also possible symptoms of eczema. These blisters might also ooze, crust and even bleed. Skin color may also change, and can even become thick and leathery. These outbreaks can appear practically anywhere on the body, and the location of the affected area can be used to classify the particular type of eczema that the person is suffering from.

Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for eczema, but there are many ways to relieve symptoms. For example, there are several easy home remedies that can help relieve itch and irritation should a breakout take place.

Continued here:
Eczema - symptomfind.com

Infectious Disease Advisor (registration)

Intramuscular Flu Vaccination Recommended for Patients With Eczema Infectious Disease Advisor (registration) Intramuscular rather than intradermal flu vaccination is preferred in patients with S aureus colonized atopic dermatitis. HealthDay News For patients with moderate/severe atopic dermatitis (AD), those colonized with Staphylococcus aureus have a ...

Continued here:
Intramuscular Flu Vaccination Recommended for Patients With Eczema - Infectious Disease Advisor (registration)

Do Parental Allergic Diseases Affect Offspring Skin Sensitivity? Monthly Prescribing Reference (registration) Questionnaires about parental and infantile eczema, atopic dermatitis (AD), and other allergic diseases were administered and skin prick tests (SPTs) with saline and histamine (1.0 mg/dL) were performed on infants' arms. Resulting wheal sizes were ...

Read the original post:
Do Parental Allergic Diseases Affect Offspring Skin Sensitivity? - Monthly Prescribing Reference (registration)