Category Archives: Transhuman News

Back in college, I woke up one winter morning with dry eyelids for the first time. It was the year we started using the term polar vortex (meaning it was suuuper cold), and throughout the winter, the skin around my eyes got progressively dryer and flakier.

The flaking made all my eye makeup look cracked and messy, so I stopped wearing it. Eventually, I developed tiny, bleeding cracks in my eyelid creases, which were sensitive and painful. My eyes stung all the time; the skin was raw from trying to gently exfoliate.

I was able to calm it down when the weather got warmer, but still, every December or January, like clockwork, my eyelids erode into flakes right around the time were seeing flakes for the first time of the year.

Everyone gets dry skin from time to time. But if your dry, flaking eyelids are especially severe and triggered by certain things, they might be considered a type of eczema, like atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis. These conditions often cause patches of dry, red, itchy, flaky skin in response to triggers like allergens, changes in temperature, or humidity.

Eczema is a general term thats used to refer to several different types of rashes caused by disruption of the outer skin layer, loss of hydration, and inflammation, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, tells SELF. These rashes can really happen anywhere on your skin, but eyelid skin is thinner than the skin on other parts of your body and face. That means the skin barrier [on the eyelids] is more easily disrupted than in other parts of the body, which makes the eye area especially vulnerable to eczema, Dr. Zeichner says.

Allergens and irritants are some of the most common triggers for eczema and often affect the delicate skin of our eyelids before causing trouble anywhere else on the skin, Amy Kassouf, M.D., a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. There are many airborne allergens in our environmentthink of the perfume droplets at the mall after someone has used a tester, or the pollen in the air in springand they often react with the very sensitive eyelid skin first, causing redness, itching, flaking, and even swelling, she says. Many things that we touch get transferred to our eyelid skin, like the nickel from handling money or touching doorknobs, the acrylates or formaldehyde in our nail polish.

And, as is the case with my own lid issue, Dr. Zeichner, changing weather is also a very common trigger for dry eyelids. Cold, dry weather during the winter strips the skin of oils, which ultimately leads to dryness, he says. Other potential irritants that may bring on flakes are eye makeup (the pigments in eyeshadow can be a trigger), hairspray, chemicals, and rubbing your eyes.

Occasionally, dry, flaking eyelids signal a larger health problem, which is why its important to seek the advice of a dermatologist should your skin condition last more than a few weeks. Dry, flaky eyelids can be a symptom of many systemic health conditions, Dr. Kassouf says, including thyroid disorders and psoriasis.

If the flaking is accompanied by red, puffy, or purple discoloration around the eyes, Dr. Zeichner says this may rarely signify an underlying medical condition, particularly autoimmune conditions like lupus or dermatomyositis, which also usually comes with muscle weakness and pain. These are rare but serious. So if youre not sure whats causing your dry eyelids or you have other symptoms along with the dryness, check in with your doctor or dermatologist.

If youre not sure whats causing your dry eyelids, the first step will be to check in with a dermatologist. They may want to conduct some patch testing to see if you have an undiagnosed allergy, Dr. Kassouf says. However, there are a few measures you can take on your own if youre having eyelid eczema and dealing with an excess of flakes.

More here:
Dry Eyelids: Heres Exactly How to Treat Them, According to Dermatologists - Self

A little girl with severe eczema who told her mum she 'didn't want to look at herself in the mirror anymore' now models for Marks & Spencer.

Macy Foley-Speakman, from Warrington, first began to suffer with eczema when she was just three months old.

Her mum Maxine, said people used to stop and stare at her little girl in the street.

But eight-year-old Macy has overcome all her obstacles, and now, she's the face of an eczema-friendly clothing range at M&S, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Macy's mum said her daughter's eczema became so bad that she gave up her full-time job as a nursery nurse to care for her.

She has spent the last eight years learning as much as she can about the condition, even creating a Facebook page in hopes of educating others.

Her daughter's skin would crack and flare up and people would would often stop and stare at her in the street.

Macy became embarrassed about what she looked like and would refuse to look in the mirror.

Maxine, 42, said: "People to would stop me and say: 'Has she got chicken pox?'

"People don't realise how hard it is.

"Macy would ask why people are staring and then she stopped looking in the mirror, she would just refuse to look at herself."

Macy's dad Andrew, 47, also suffers with the condition and like his daughter, often has to go to hospital for treatment.

In a bid to control her eczema which can sometimes become so inflamed her skin turns purple, Macy has to have lotion applied seven times a day.

She also requires special zinc bandaging to soothe the inflammation during flare-ups.

At school the pupil is allowed to wear a cotton uniform rather than polyester and her school friends, who have known her since reception, even help the youngster not to scratch her skin.

Maxine said she has been 'moved to tears' by how kind and supportive Macy's classmates are.

"Her school and headteacher have been really understanding and she has never been bullied", she added.

"Her friends even hold her hands when she's itchy to stop her from scratching."

But the real turning point for Macy was when she was at home, watching TV and said to her mum "no-one looks like me".

Macy then decided she wanted to take it in her stride and try to become a model championing eczema.

The Eczema Outreach Support charity came into her school and she took the opportunity to approach the team.

They then reached out to M&S - who advertise eczema-friendly clothing lineDreamSkin.

Macy's great-grandmother Jean Guinan, who was a model for M&S in the 1960s, passed away in 2017.

Mum Maxine said her daughter would love getting dressed up for her 'Nana Jean' to keep her spirits up in hospital and said she would be so proud to see her now.

Maxine added: "Macy had the time of her life at the photo shoot, even saying: 'Nana Jean would love this!'

"Her skin is too sensitive for makeup but she doesn't mind.

"She likes herself, she smiles and likes what she sees when she looks in the mirror."

Since the photo shoot at M&S, the retailer sent the pictures on to Zebedee, an inclusive management agency, who called up Macy's mum and asked if she would sign with them.

Macy starts with Zebedee in February, where she will be their first model with severe eczema.

The proud mum added: "It would be a great platform to show what eczema can look like as people often think it's a dry patch of skin and not that it can be a debilitating condition."

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Girl with severe eczema told her mum she 'didn't want to look at herself in the mirror' - she's now a model - Manchester Evening News

Eczema comes in many forms but the most common type is atopic eczema, a condition that is characterised by dry, itchy, cracked skin. Atopic eczema is more common in children, often developing before their first birthday. But it may also develop for the first time in adults. It's usually a long-term (chronic) condition, although it can improve significantly, or even clear completely, in some children as they get older.

As the NHS explains, people with atopic eczema usually have periods when symptoms are less noticeable, as well as periods when symptoms become more severe (flare-ups).

Eczema flare-ups can have a significant impact on your overall quality of life as they can deter you from engaging in popular activities, such as exercise.

For many people, exercise can trigger intensive bouts of scratching on the skin as the surface temperature soars but there are a number of tips people can take to enjoy exercise without the risk of flare-ups.

READ MORE:How to avoid arthritis in later life: This activity could prevent muscle and bone problems

Synthetic moisture clothing options draw sweat into the garments, but they may feel rough and irritate eczema, explains the NEA.

To overcome the problem, you should opt for light, breathable fabrics such as 100 percent cotton that dont rub or scratch the skin during exercise, advises the health body.

It is also important to listen and respond to your body during exercise so you can rest, rehydrate and cool down if youre sensing the start of a flare with your eczema, explains the health site.

Being realistic around the state of your eczema when you want to exercise means choosing a level of intensity to match, adds the NEA.

As the health body notes, cold compression wraps (using either re-freezable ice or gel) are most often used to treat soft-tissue swelling or injuries but make excellent aids for cooling the skin and calming the itch in eczema.

In addition, you should moisturise before and after exercise to minimise the risk of a flare-up.

In much the same way that taking on water counteracts water lost while exercising, applying emollients will protect your skin in advance of and following exercise, explains the NEA.

The healthy body advises against using a heavier ointment as it may compound the feeling of overheating and trap in sweat.

Instead you should opt for a cream or lighter application of ointment an hour before exercise allows time for it to have absorbed fully, it says.

According to the NHS, it is helpful to keep separate supplies of emollients at work or school, or a tub in the bathroom and one in the living area so you are always prepared for a flare-up.

To apply the emollient:

During a flare-up, apply generous amounts of emollient more frequently, but remember to treat inflamed skin with a topical corticosteroid as emollients used on their own are not enough to control it, advises the health site.

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Eczema treatment: How to exercise without causing a flare-up - four key tips - Express

An eight-year-old girl who suffers from severe eczema has landed a dream job modelling clothes designed specifically for people with her condition.

Macy Foley-Speakman, from Warrington, Cheshire, used to be so self-conscious about her skin that she avoided looking at herself in the mirror.

Her skin first started to crack and flare up when she was just three months old - and it sometimes becomes so inflamed it turns purple, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Her mum Maxine, 42, said strangers stare at her daughter in the street and make rude comments about her, causing the youngster to become embarrassed about what she looks like.

However, Macy has overcome the challenges caused by her condition and is now the face of an eczema-friendly M&S clothing line.

Her mum Maxine said people used to stop and ask if her daughter had chicken pox.

She added: "People don't realise how hard it is.

"Macy would ask why people are staring and then she stopped looking in the mirror, she would just refuse to look at herself."

Macy's eczema became so bad that mum Maxine gave up her full-time job as a nursery nurse to care for her daughter.

The hands-on mum has since spent the last eight years learning as much as she can about the condition, even creating a Facebook page in the hope of educating others.

Macy's dad Andrew, 47, also suffers with the condition and like his daughter, often has to go to hospital for treatment.

In a bid to control her eczema which can sometimes become so inflamed her skin turns purple, the schoolgirl has have lotion applied seven times a day.

She also requires special zinc bandaging to soothe the inflammation during flare-ups.

At school the pupil is allowed to wear a cotton uniform rather than polyester and her school friends, who have known her since reception, even help the youngster not to scratch her skin.

Maxine, who has been "moved to tears" by how kind and supportive Macy's classmates are, said: "Her school and headteacher have been really understanding and she has never been bullied.

"Her friends even hold her hands when she's itchy to stop her from scratching."

But the real turning point for Macy was when she was at home, watching TV and said to her mum "no-one looks like me".

Which is when, instead of becoming down about her condition, Macy decided she wanted to take it in her stride and try to become a model - championing eczema.

And when the Eczema Outreach Support charity came into her school she took the opportunity to approach the team, who reached out to M&S - who advertise eczema-friendly clothing lineDreamSkin.

Macy's great-grandmother Jean Guinan, who was a model for M&S in the 1960s, passed away in 2017.

Mum Maxine told the ECHO how her daughter would love getting dressed up for her "Nana Jean" to keep her spirits up in hospital and said she would be so proud to see her now.

Maxine added: "Macy had the time of her life at the photo shoot, even saying: 'Nana Jean would love this!'

"Her skin is too sensitive for makeup but she doesn't mind.

"She likes herself, she smiles and likes what she sees when she looks in the mirror."

Since the photo shoot M&S sent the pictures on to Zebedee, an inclusive management agency, who called up Macy's mum and asked if she would sign with them.

Macy starts with Zebedee in February, where she will be their first model with severe eczema.

The proud mum added: "It would be a great platform to show what eczema can look like as people often think it's a dry patch of skin and not that it can be a debilitating condition."

Original post:
Girl, 8, whose eczema is so severe it turns skin purple lands dream job with M&S - Mirror Online

First biologic drug made available by NHS Scotland for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents1

Atopic dermatitis affects an estimated 125,000 people in Scotland, including ~7,600 aged 12-17 year olds2,3 and is the most common type of eczema4

Atopic dermatitis can have a significant physical and psychological burden if the disease is not adequately controlled5

READING, UK January 23, 2020 The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has recommended Dupixent (dupilumab) for restricted use within National Health Service (NHS) Scotland for the treatment of adolescent patients (12 to <18 years of age) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) (also known as atopic eczema) who have had an inadequate response to existing systemic immunosuppressants such as ciclosporin, or in whom such treatment is considered unsuitable.1

AD can take control of a persons life, causing sleeplessness and depression, as well as feelings of isolation.6,7 Adolescents with AD can exhibit vulnerability, anger, anxiety and insecurity. In addition, adolescents with moderate to severe AD have shown a significant delay in development of social relationships compared to healthy adolescents or those with mild AD.8,9

This announcement will be welcome news for many teenagers with severe eczema in Scotland, who will now have access to a new treatment option for their chronic condition, said Magali Redding, Founding CEO of Eczema Outreach Support. Through the direct support we provide to young people with eczema and their families, we have gained a deep understanding of their daily struggles and dreams of a better future. Indeed, the impact of the condition on adolescents' physical and mental health is vastly underestimated. New treatments bring fresh hope to those struggling with severe AD on a daily basis.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema,4 affecting approximately 125,000 people in Scotland, which includes approximately 7,600 12-17 year olds.2,3 Moderate to severe AD is characterised by rashes often covering much of the body, including intense, persistent itching and skin dryness, cracking, redness, crusting and oozing.10

Dr Jasmin Hussein, Head of Dermatology and Respiratory Franchise, Sanofi Genzyme, commented: At Sanofi, we work hard every day to ensure that our research and development translates into meaningful results for patients the world over. This decision from the SMC marks an important milestone for patients in Scotland, providing access to another treatment option, helping adolescents with AD to better manage their disease.

About Dupixent (dupilumab) Dupixent (dupilumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that is designed to specifically inhibit overactive signaling of two key proteins, interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 (IL-4 and IL-13), which are believed to be major drivers of the persistent underlying inflammation in AD.5 The medicine is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement.

The full summary of product characteristics for dupilumab can be accessed at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8553/smpc

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Dupixent (dupilumab) available to treat adolescents with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in Scotland1 - PharmiWeb.com

An eight-year-old girl with severe eczema told her mum she "didn't want to look at herself in the mirror anymore".

Her mum, Maxine, says people used to stop and stare at her little girl in the street.

Macy Foley-Speakman first began to suffer with eczema, which would cause her skin to crack and flare up when she was just three months old.

But Macy has overcome all her obstacles and now, aged eight, shes the face of a range of eczema-friendly clothing at M&S.

Macy first began to suffer with eczema, which would cause her skin to crack and flare up, when she was just three months old.

Maxine, 42, said people would often stop and stare at her daughter in the street and make rude comments, which caused the youngster to become embarrassed of what she looked like.

The mum, from Warrington, said: "People to would stop me and say: 'Has she got chicken pox?'

"People don't realise how hard it is.

"Macy would ask why people are staring and then she stopped looking in the mirror, she would just refuse to look at herself."

Macy's eczema became so bad that mum Maxine gave up her full-time job as a nursery nurse to care for her daughter.

The hands-on mum has since spent the last eight years learning as much as she can about the condition, even creating a Facebook page in hopes of educating others.

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Macy's dad Andrew, 47, also suffers with the condition and like his daughter, often has to go to hospital for treatment.

In a bid to control her eczema which can sometimes become so inflamed her skin turns purple, the schoolgirl has have lotion applied seven times a day.

She also requires special zinc bandaging to soothe the inflammation during flare-ups.

At school the pupil is allowed to wear a cotton uniform rather than polyester and her school friends, who have known her since reception, even help the youngster not to scratch her skin.

Looking for the latest news where you live?

Our free new website In Your Area has news and other information like jobs, funeral notices, traffic and travel, houses for sale and more - based around your postcode

We also have an In Your Area app that's free to download to your phone too.

Maxine, who has been "moved to tears" by how kind and supportive Macy's classmates are, said: "Her school and headteacher have been really understanding and she has never been bullied.

"Her friends even hold her hands when she's itchy to stop her from scratching."

But the real turning point for Macy was when she was at home, watching TV and said to her mum "no-one looks like me".

Which is when, instead of becoming down about her condition, Macy decided she wanted to take it in her stride and try to become a model - championing eczema.

And when Eczema Outreach Support charity came into her school she took the opportunity to approach the team, who reached out to M&S - who advertise eczema-friendly clothing lineDreamSkin.

Macy's great-grandmother Jean Guinan, who was a model for M&S in the 1960s, passed away in 2017.

Mum Maxine told the ECHO how her daughter would love getting dressed up for her "Nana Jean" to keep her spirits up in hospital and said she would be so proud to see her now.

Maxine added: "Macy had the time of her life at the photo shoot, even saying: 'Nana Jean would love this!'

"Her skin is too sensitive for makeup but she doesn't mind.

"She likes herself, she smiles and likes what she sees when she looks in the mirror."

Since the photo shoot M&S sent the pictures on to Zebedee, an inclusive management agency, who called up Macy's mum and asked if she would sign with them.

Macy starts with Zebedee in February, where she will be their first model with severe eczema.

The proud mum added: "It would be a great platform to show what eczema can look like as people often think it's a dry patch of skin and not that it can be a debilitating condition."

Originally posted here:
Girl with severe eczema told mum 'I don't want to look at myself in the mirror' - Liverpool Echo

In a new interview, Charlize Theron is revealing the complications she endured adopting her first child, Jackson, and the life changing moment when she saw her "lizard baby" for the first time in March 2012.

"The first adoption was really rough, the process," Theron admits on W Magazine's podcast Five Things with Lynn Hirschberg. "Because Jax I think was the eighth baby that came around. So a lot of them fell through. A lot of them were high risk pregnancies. You get emotionally attached and then it doesn't turn out the way you're hoping and you get crushed."

"It was probably the lowest part of my life going through that adoption period," the 44-year-old actress, who also adopted August in July 2015, explained. "You spend months and months thinking that this is gonna be your baby."

Trending stories,celebrity news and all the best of TODAY.

But her connection with Jackson was instantaneous.

"I remember vividly seeing Jackson through a window. I got out of the car and I saw her through the window. Somebody was holding her and my heart just jumped out of my body and I almost couldn't catch it," she shared. "It is just a visceral, emotional feeling that... the fact that I'm keeping my shit together right now is so impressive. Yeah, it's really incredible, it's really incredible."

"The second time around I remember I had to wait for two hours to meet her and it was the worst two hours of my life and I met her and she looked like a little lizard," she continued. "I'll never forget it. She had severe eczema and she was just covered and I remember the woman who was looking after her and she was like preparing me she said, 'She looks a little rough.' And I was just like, 'This, this is my baby! I was meant to have this little lizard baby!'"

"She doesn't look like a lizard anymore," Theron added. "Her eczema weirdly got under control when she was like six weeks old, someone recommended an acupuncturist and she has been totally managing it very well."

In the interview. Theron revealed how losing her father at the age of 15 he was murdered by her mother who killed him in self-defense has made her appreciate life that much more.

"It is pretty well known that he died very tragically," she explained "It's definitely something that you don't wish anybody to go through anything like, but at the same time it gives you a value for life that is a gift. I am really grateful... that I can take something that was so unfortunate in my life and turn it into something that now gives me value every single day."

"There is not a day that goes by that I don't say to myself, 'Shit, how will I feel if it is done? If this is it? If I die in my sleep tonight? How do I feel about my life right now? And I do that on a regular basis because I experienced that."

She continued, "I have a full awareness when I look at my kids that this may not be forever," adding, "It makes you live life to the fullest."

Read more:
Charlize Theron recounts the 1st moment she met her daughter - Today.com

The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) recommends first biologic drug for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents aged 12 years and over.1

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema,2 affecting approximately 1.5 million people in the UK.3,4

Atopic dermatitis can lead to significant physical and psychological burden if the disease is not adequately controlled.5

READING, UK 21 January, 2020 The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) has published its positive recommendation that Dupixent (dupilumab) can be used for restricted use within the NHS in Wales for the treatment of adolescent patients ( 12 to < 18 years of age) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who are candidates for systemic therapy, only if the disease has not responded to at least one other systemic therapy or these are contraindicated or not tolerated.1

Dupilumab is the first targeted biologic treatment licensed for use in adolescent patients and unlike topical treatments, it targets an underlying pathway that drives AD pathogenesis.6 Adolescents with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis often do not respond well to standard therapies causing them great distress, with visible disease and intractable itch during a crucial time in their life, said Jenny Hughes, Consultant Dermatologist at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, South Wales, Dupilumab offers a much needed treatment option for teenagers living with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema.2 It is estimated that up to 1 in every 5 children in the UK is affected by AD of any severity at some stage7, which equates to an estimated 772,812 children aged 12-17 years in England and Wales.8 Moderate to severe AD is characterised by rashes often covering much of the body, and can include intense, persistent itching and skin dryness, cracking, redness, crusting and oozing.

Itch is one of the most burdensome symptoms for patients and can be debilitating. In addition, people with moderate to severe AD experience impaired quality of life, including disrupted sleep as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression.5

This decision offers good news for young people living with atopic dermatitis in Wales, commented Dr Jasmin Hussein, Head of Dermatology and Respiratory Franchise, Sanofi Genzyme. Not only do adolescents have to contend with the physical symptoms of AD, but its impact can also have a profound effect on their everyday emotional and mental well-being. By broadening dupilumab access to adolescents, we hope that those with the greatest need are able to manage and control their AD more effectively.

The AMWSG recommendation took into consideration clinical trial data from the AD-1526 clinical trial which assessed the efficacy and safety of dupilumab monotherapy in adolescent patients 12 to < 18 years of age with moderate to severe AD.9

Read more:
Dupixent (dupilumab), accepted for restricted use within NHS Wales for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents aged 12 -...