Liverpool hospital tries out new treatments on first trials on humans at NHS sites

A Liverpool hospital is testing a new cream which hopes to tackle severe eczema.

The cream is being tested on patients at Royal Liverpool Hospital which became one of the first NHS hospitals to be given permission to carry out trials on humans earlier this year.

The trial sees either the new cream or a placebo cream given to patients to accurately test the effects of the new medication in reducing inflamed, itchy skin.

The new cream is for those with eczema classed in the moderate to severe.

Anthony, 37, is one of the patients taking part in the trial. Doctors say he cant be named to protect the trials integrity.

He has had eczema for three years and got on the trial through his doctor.

The trial Anthony is on sees the cream put on more than 20% of his body. The longer term aim is to reduce the level of itchiness. His eczema covers his back, chest and legs but he doesnt know whether he has been given the trial cream or a placebo cream.

Anthony said: I was contacted by my doctor asking if I wanted to get involved in the skin trial. I felt I had nothing to lose as the eczema has been really bad since I was 34 years old it was possibly started by stress.

Its not helped by the fact Im a bit overweight, and when I perspire, the eczema seems to get a lot worse. After the trial my skin appeared to be the same.

NHS hospitals have tested new treatments on patients before but the products have always been previously trialled on humans at private research facilities.

Original post:
Liverpool hospital tries out new treatments on first trials on humans at NHS sites