Category Archives: Eczema

Id been eyeing the dress for a while. It was a red T-shirt dress with a simple cut and short sleeves, just as Id imagined it. Id been looking for a dress like this for ages, bored with all the dark colors in my wardrobe; this dress would liven up my style considerably. But I knew I wouldnt buy it. It was probably too expensive, I told myself, and I bet they wouldnt carry my size anyway. Still, I needed proof that this dress wasnt meant for me, so I went inside the shop and touched it. It was just as I expected. The rough fabric was a shock to my fingers, and I knew it would be hell on the rest of my skin. This was not the first piece of clothing I couldnt buy because of my skin condition. It wouldnt be the last. I have atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. The National Eczema Association estimates that over 30 million Americans are affected by this skin condition. Symptoms include dry, itchy skin and rashes, which range from slightly annoying to basically hell. Eczema comes in several types, the most popular being contact eczema, and thats exactly the … Continue reading →

If you have eczema, I bet youre willing to do just about anything to soothe your itchy, irritated skin. Unfortunately, many of the topical remedies for this condition offer little relief. But an inside-out approach" focused on dietary changes may help considerably. If you search for eczema diet online youll find a number of different protocols. But the standard approach is to begin with an elimination diet, which entails cutting out foods that may be triggering inflammation for at least four weeks, sometimes longer. Most elimination diets start by nixing the top eight allergens: wheat; milk and milk products (think cheese and yogurt); eggs; soy; fish; shellfish; tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios); and peanuts. However, an elimination diet for eczema typically adds additional layers, such as all sugary and processed foods and anything artificial; gluten or possibly all grains; alcohol; caffeine; nightshade vegetables; seeds; and foods that are high in histamine. Histamine causes an inflammatory response in the body, which is why anti-histamine medications are used for allergy relief. Some foods are high in histamine or trigger histamine release, including avocado, tomatoes, spinach, pickled or canned foods, pulses, nuts, cheese, chocolate, and vinegar. RELATED: 15 Healthy Gluten-Free Recipes By this … Continue reading →

GETTY There are six million people in the UK suffering from eczema - also known as atopic dermatitis - which are a set of chronic skin conditions triggered by inflammation. Similarly, there are an estimated 1.8 million people with psoriasis, or red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. However, a new study says that while the two skin diseases may seem similar at first, what they have in common is only skin deep. The research published in the journal Nature Communications found that they are actually very different. GETTY While eczema is driven by an allergic reaction, psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease. While eczema is driven by an allergic reaction, psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease. However, the researchers were able to pinpoint a common driver of inflammation in both conditions. This new information could help them target a treatment. They discovered that TWEAK, a protein related to tumour necrosis factor, is responsible for fuelling inflammation in both. Getty Images/Cultura RF 1 of 9 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 … Continue reading →

May 22, 2017 TWEAK regulates inflammation in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Left: Normal skin. Middle: Skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Right: Blocking TWEAK reduces skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Daniel Sidler, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology Superficially, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis may appear similar but their commonalities are only skin deep. Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is primarily driven by an allergic reaction, while psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology were able to pinpoint a common driver of skin inflammation in both diseases. Their findings, published in the May 22, 2017 issue of Nature Communications, showed that TWEAK, a protein related to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), plays a major role in inducing pro-inflammatory signaling molecules that recruit immune cells to the skin. TNF is already a drug target in psoriasis. "Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are two distinct diseases that are induced by alternate immune responses and the factors involved are quite different," explains Michael Croft, Ph.D., professor and head in the Division of Immune Regulation, who led the research. "Showing that TWEAK is a critical mediator in both conditions, makes it a potential … Continue reading →

By Kristin Canning Eczema is a skin condition that shows up as itchy, dry, red patches, and can result in peeling, blisters, and sores. According to the National Eczema Association, it affects more than 30 million Americans. Eczema tends to show up in childhood, usually on the cheeks, chin, elbows, or knees, and symptoms usually lessen over time. Still, some people will have eczema as they grow older, and adults can develop it as well. Its tricky to narrow down exactly what causes eczema, since there are so many different forms of the condition, and different triggers can exacerbate each type. For example, allergens such as pet dander or pollen could cause the irritating rash appear, or it could be linked to other health conditions such as high blood pressure. For most forms, the cause isnt clear and its linked to a combination of factors. What researchers do know, however, is that the most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis (AD), seems to be passed down in families, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. Its also part of the atopic triad, three common conditions that are linked together (though they may not necessarily show up in … Continue reading →

Chances are, youre here to look for answers and find support. You might have first noticed an itchy, red patch on your babys cheeks, chin, or chest that she or he scratched until it became even more irritated. Sound familiar? Or maybe you experienced something similar on your own neck, inner elbows, or behind your knees. Thats probably when you made an appointment with your doctor, who looked at it, talked to you about your symptoms, asked you questions about your family history and the types of products you use on your skin and in your home. Then your doctor told you it was eczema. So what exactly is eczema? Who can get it and why? And what should you do, now that you or your child has been diagnosed? Learning more about what kind of eczema you have and what may have triggered it, is the best starting point to treating and managing it, so that your eczema doesnt get in the way of your everyday life. The good news is youve come to the right place. Were here to help guide you with all of the tools and support youll need every step of the way. Eczema is … Continue reading →

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting roughly one in 10 adults. Now, new research has suggested that a deficiency in the skin's outer barrier is key to triggering the debilitating problem, leaving scientists one step closer to discovering exactly what it is that triggers eczema and what they can do to prevent it. Related Article Everything you've ever wondered about skin allergies ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW The Newcastle University research team created a human model system in their laboratory in order to mimic the skin observed in patients with atopic eczema the most common type. They then used molecular techniques to reduce the levels of filaggrin, the protein which has previously been strongly linked to eczema, within the upper layer of skin (epidermis) of the model. A number of regulatory mechanisms, such as stress responses, were affected by the changes. Nick Reynolds, Professor of Dermatology at Newcastle University and who works within the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the lead investigator of the study. He said: "We have shown for the first time that loss of the filaggrin protein alone is sufficient to alter key proteins and pathways involved in triggering eczema. This research … Continue reading →

New York Daily News Spring allergy season is also a bad time for eczema sufferers New York Daily News Many of us associate spring with sniffling and itching, but one group of patients faces the season with particular dread people with eczema, a set of chronic skin conditions that cause itchy red lesions. For patients with mild cases, the warmer ... Read the original: Spring allergy season is also a bad time for eczema sufferers - New York Daily News … Continue reading →

Hindustan Times Reasons for eczema susceptibility uncovered Science Daily Atopic eczema is one of the commonest skin conditions in the UK, affecting up to 10% of adults and 20% of children in the UK. It's more common in children, often developing before their first birthday and often persists into adulthood with severe ... What causes eczema? Scientists blame it on lack of a protein skin barrierHindustan Times What Causes Eczema? Lack of Protein In Skin May Lead To Painful Inflammatory ConditionMedical Daily Eczema caused by deficiency of protein in skin, confirm scientistsNews Nation all 6 news articles » Read the original here: Reasons for eczema susceptibility uncovered - Science Daily … Continue reading →

The team at Newcastle University, in collaboration with scientists at Stiefel, a GSK company, have identified how a key skin barrier protein called filaggrin impacts on other proteins and pathways in the skin, which in turn drive the development of eczema. This has also lead them to identify potential targets for future drug development which could treat the underlying cause rather than treating the symptoms. Common condition Atopic eczema is one of the commonest skin conditions in the UK, affecting up to 10% of adults and 20% of children in the UK. Its more common in children, often developing before their first birthday and often persists into adulthood with severe itching that has profound effects on well-being and may lead to sleep disturbance. The research builds on the important discovery by scientists in Dundee which showed that lack of the protein filaggrin in the skin caused an inherited dry skin condition known as ichthyosis vulgaris that is strongly linked to the development of atopic eczema, as well as other allergic diseases such as hayfever and asthma. Nick Reynolds, Professor of Dermatology at Newcastle University who also sees patients with skin conditions including eczema at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, is the … Continue reading →