Monthly Archives: September 2021

Experts are not sure what exactly causes eczema. However, most researchers believe there is a link between eczema and a combination of genes and triggers. Stress is one potential trigger.

People who have eczema often have overreactive immune systems that respond to a substance, or trigger, inside or outside the body. The body reacts to these triggers by causing inflammation. This in turn produces eczema symptoms, such as itchy, painful skin.

According to advocacy group National Eczema Association (NAE), stress is sometimes a trigger for eczema. Some people experience a flare-up of symptoms when they feel stressed. Others feel stressed because of their eczema, which worsens their symptoms. The result is a cycle of anxiety and eczema symptoms.

This article explores eczema and its causes. It also looks at prevention and treatment and when to contact a doctor.

Although researchers have found strong links between stress and eczema, they do not fully understand the mechanisms underlying the connection.

However, there are several theories about why stress may worsen skin symptoms.

Stress may cause or worsen eczema as part of a persons fight-or-flight response.

When a person is in a stressful situation, this triggers the fight-or-flight mode. The body responds by producing more stress hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine.

However, too much cortisol can dysregulate the immune system and lead to inflammation of the skin. People who have eczema are especially susceptible to this inflammatory response.

Cytokines are small proteins that control the activity and growth of blood cells and affect immune and inflammation responses in the body.

According to some research, the connection between stress and eczema may involve cytokines, which in turn affects communication between inflammatory responses and depression or stress.

Stress may lead to changes in the immune system, which may trigger eczema.

These changes involve the neuroendocrine pathways. These pathways are a hormonal system of communication between cells.

Research in animal studies has shown that inflammation in the nervous system can cause stress-induced flare-ups of allergy symptoms. The inflammation may lead to eczema.

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common allergic skin condition that usually starts in early childhood. The main symptom is itchy, dry skin.

If a person scratches the affected areas, their skin can become chafed and thickened, and red to purple discoloration may occur.

Half of all people with moderate to severe eczema also have hay fever, asthma, and food allergies.

Experts have linked eczema to a leaky skin barrier, which allows water to escape and dry the skin. A person can inherit leaky skin or develop it due to their environment.

A protein called filaggrin is essential to the skins barrier. If someone lacks this protein or if it is faulty, it can cause moderate to severe eczema.

A person may also develop eczema due to contact with bacteria, pollen, detergents, soaps, and animal dander.

While stress can also trigger eczema, there are differences between stress-related eczema and a typical stress rash.

A stress rash usually appears in the form of itchy, rounded welts, or hives. Hives can appear anywhere on the body and vary in size. While they often disappear within 24 hours, a bout of hives can last up to 6 weeks.

Anxiety disorder may trigger flare-ups of eczema. It can be difficult for a person with anxiety to manage the condition without medication.

Having anxiety may produce physical symptoms, including eczema.

If a person has a family history of anxiety or depression, they may need to address these issues first before managing their eczema.

Eczema is a complex condition. While researchers are not sure what causes it, they believe the following may play a role:

There are also various potential triggers for eczema, including:

The NAE found that more than 30% of people with eczema are also living with depression, anxiety, or both.

If a person experiences these health issues, they should seek guidance from a mental health specialist, who will determine the most suitable treatment.

To manage stress that occurs due to eczema, a person can try the following:

A person may be able to prevent eczema flare-ups by making certain changes to their routine, including:

A dermatologist may tailor a treatment plan to meet individual needs. However, most treatment plans include:

A person with eczema should contact a doctor if:

Eczema is a common allergic skin condition that may cause discolored, itchy, dry skin.

Stress may trigger eczema due to increased cortisol levels, which leads to inflammation, causing eczema symptoms.

An eczema rash may result from anxiety or depression. If that is the case, a person should seek treatment for these underlying conditions to help manage their eczema.

There are various causes of and triggers for eczema, including family history, certain fabrics, scented products, and extreme temperatures.

Managing stress, moisturizing skin regularly, and using fragrance-free skin care products and detergents may help alleviate symptoms.

Dermatologists usually treat eczema with a combination of topical and other medication, trigger management, and phototherapy.

A person should contact a doctor if their eczema is severe or appears infected.

More here:
Eczema and stress: Triggers, connection, and more - Medical News Today

Angelo Berry, now 4, was diagnosed with the condition when he was just six weeks old (Picture: Liverpool Echo)

A mum has revealed how she struggled to hold her baby because his skin had been ravaged so badly by eczema.

Angelo Berry, now 4, was diagnosed with the condition when he was just six weeks old.

Mum Chiara, a mental health nurse, said: It was around his six-week check-up, we noticed his skin was very dry and thats how it started out.

She said his skin became red and bloody, dry and flaky and doctors at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool warned her he could be scarred for life.

Angelos skin was left open and weeping, and his mum said he was in so much pain. Shocking pictures show the eczema covering his body.

Chiara, who is also mum to Rosa-Maria, 6, and is expecting another baby in December, said: He had to have bandage therapy for three weeks all over his body.

They have special cream they put on the skin and special, strong steroid creams in the bandages themselves.

They wrap them like a mummy so it soaked in and it had to be changed every other day.

But now Chiara and Angelos dad Jonathon, who live in Newton-le-Willows, say their childs eczema can be treated with steroid creams and he is no longer covered in painful rashes from head to toe.

Chiara added: He still gets in behind his knees, his elbows. It tends to just be a flare up but the creams we have at home target it immediately.

They told us as he grows older he should get better. And we have noticed in these four years massive improvements already.

Hes brilliant, hes currently off with chicken pox at the moment. Hes just started school last week and were really happy with his progress.

Last week was National Eczema Week, when the National Eczema Society worked to raise awareness of the condition.

According to the NHS, eczema is a conditionthat causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked.

It is more common in children, often developing before their first birthday but it may also develop for the first time in adults.

It is usually a long-term (chronic) condition, although it can improve significantly, or even clear completely, in some children as they get older.

Some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body.

The condition can be treated with special moisturisers, and steroid creams where it is particularly bad.

Were really made up as a family because at one stage, even just holding him as a baby, he was in so much pain.

We did worry about it quite a bit but hes come on loads.

They say Angelo doesnt appear to have been left with scars, and they hope he has grown out of the condition.

Even when we talk to people about Angelos story, they just cant believe how bad he was, she said.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this,check our news page.

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Baby's eczema was so bad he was left covered in bleeding sores - Metro.co.uk

Have you ever met someone with almost 40 allergies?

I have. Her name is Shivaika Sewlal. Well, we didnt actually meet, I came across a few of her videos on Tiktok.

Shiv, as she prefers to be called, is a social media influencer who uses Tiktok and Instagram to spread awareness about people living with allergies and eczema.

She is not a qualified allergist but she does live with just under 40 different allergies which range from being unable to eat nuts and shellfish to some pretty rare ones such as olive oil and even certain types of trees.

I spoke to Sewlal, 20, to get more of an idea of how she and her family cope.

She is a social media advocate and influencer. I make humorous videos on social media about serious situations in order to create awareness around the many types of allergies and eczema, she says.

Not all allergies just cause sneezing, some are life threatening. ##allergyawareness ##allergycheck ##lifethreatening

Deaths caused by allergies could have been avoided if people knew more about theme. It is now my mission to use my platforms to create awareness and show how I can live a healthy, happy and normal life despite such limitations.

The Allergy Foundation of South Africa says: Food allergies have become more common worldwide in the past few decades. In some areas of the world, food allergies occur in 8-10% of young children. In South Africa, food allergy occurs in around 2.5% of children aged one to three.

This figure is much higher in children with moderate to severe eczema, who have food allergies in around 30% to 40% of cases.

So how does one become allergic to something? The Mayo Clinic says allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as pollen, bee venom, pet dander (pet skin cells), or a certain food that does not normally cause a reaction in most people.

Read the latest Simply Green digital magazine below

Your immune system then produces antibodies. When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn't. When you come into contact with the allergen, your immune system's reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.

Allergies may affect people differently. For example, I fight a yearly pollen war in spring, a war where I am never the victor. At the same time, my partner happily strolls outside, with clear sinuses.

The severity of allergies varies from person to person and can range from minor irritation to a potentially life-threatening emergency. While most allergies can't be cured, treatments can help relieve symptoms.

Wilmi Hudsonberg, spokesperson of allergy pharmaceutical firm, Pharma Dynamics, says: South Africa has one of the highest prevalence rates of allergic disorders in the developing world and we are fast catching up to developed countries such as the US, New Zealand, Australia and Europe.

Statistics also show that the prevalence of allergies is increasing more rapidly in disadvantaged communities and that this population group tends to be more heavily burdened by severe allergic conditions,

Sewlal says: When I was growing up, there was no representation of eczema and allergies, especially on social media. I am now proud to say that I have successfully raised awareness in millions of people all over the world. The analytics on my accounts are a good indication of how much of a need there was for awareness and representation for eczema and allergies.

Why do hot showers feel so good when theyre so bad?? ##eczemacheck ##eczemaflareup

Sewlal receives, on average, 15.2 million views on Tiktok and reaches over 9.5 million Instagram accounts a month. Beginning her social media journey in October 2020, she has since amassed over 250000 followers on Tiktok and 23000 followers on Instagram.

I get comments and messages daily from followers, sharing their stories with me, and together we have successfully created a community for all eczema and allergy sufferers.

As with most allergy sufferers, Sewlal was born with her allergies.

I personally think its better because I never had to adjust my way of life, this is my norm. I was diagnosed at a very young age after my parents began introducing new foods to me. My eczema was diagnosed a few weeks after I was born.

Things I didnt know were eczema related (Ib: @savetimeshan ) ##eczemaawareness ##eczemaawarenessweek

Sewlal keeps a full list of all her allergies on the fridge at home. She also gives printed copies of her allergies to people who will be preparing foods for her at events or, sometimes, at restaurants.

This is a list of Sewlals allergies:

1. All nuts including peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts and pecans.

2. Eggs

3. Any wheat products including bread, pizza, pasta and roti

4. Honey

5. Soya

6. Any cows milk products including cheese, yoghurt and ice cream

7. Rye

8. Penicillin

9. Oats

10. Olive oil and olives

11. Anything containing citric acid including oranges, lemons and juice.

12. Guava

13. Peas

14. Kiwi fruit

15. Apples

16. Any goats milk products.

17. Shrimp

18. Pork

19. Sunflower seeds and sunflower oil

20. Most chocolate (contains soya and milk)

21. Most sweets (contain citric acid)

22. Most cereal (contain wheat, oats, soya, etc)

23. Codfish

24. Most soft drinks (contain citric acid)

25. Most fruit juice (contain citric acid)

26. Most canned food (contain citric acid)

27. Most marinated meat/ sausage (contain citric acid/ soy sauce)

28. Most berries (contain citric acid)

29. Cats

30. Dogs

31. Horses

32. Cockroaches

33. Mould

34. Certain grasses and trees

35. Bee stings

36. Chlorine

37. Dust Mites

Sewlals parents and extended family experienced a lot of stress over the years. I was the only one with severe eczema and multiple allergies, it was very new territory, she says.

I also didnt make it easier for my parents growing up. Whether it was the countless phone calls to come pick me up from school because I ate another childs lunch or when I played sports and forgot my asthma pump.

Even when at home, Sewlal was a danger to herself. I was a hazard, especially when I was fiddling with my EpiPen and it auto injected through my finger. I didnt exactly make my situation any better. Fortunately, I learnt and was able to understand my allergies better after each incident.

Despite all these obstacles, Sewlal has learnt to embrace her allergies and eczema.

Im coping with my diet and I still continue to find new foods that I can actually eat. Its like an exciting and fun treasure hunt. I recently found pasta made from beetroot, lasagne sheets made from rice and even chocolate biscuits that are made from rice and tapioca flour.

Having a positive mindset really helps me during a reaction. My familys constant encouragement and help always makes me feel safe and loved.

Reply to @user4151672829282 | (40+ Allergy Edition) Dairy Wheat ##whatieatinaday ##allergic

She rarely eats out at restaurants because of the potential dangers involved. If Sewlal does venture out, she prefers to take her own meal or eat beforehand.

(And I thought eating out as a vegan was difficult.)

She also has to be extremely careful when leaving her home. I always carry my EpiPen injection and asthma pump with me. Even if I dont plan to eat anything, I still need to take precautions because the smell of certain allergens also affects me. I make sure that all my friends and family or whoever I am with know how to use the EpiPen in case anything happens.

It. Is. Not. Life. Threatening. To. Take. Your. EpiPen. (even if its not needed) ##epipenlife ##allergicreaction

On the sensitivity of her allergies, Sewlal says: In high school, I touched my desk and then touched my face when applying my cream to certain areas. Those areas immediately started to swell and I had to be sent home. I assume someone sitting there before me ate something Im allergic to and left crumbs which I accidentally touched.

Asked if her life has ever been in danger, she replies: When I was 12 I went to a restaurant with my family and I told the waitress that I was allergic to nuts. However, they still put cashews in my chicken. I started to feel sick straight after the first bite.

Thankfully, I was with my parents and my mum rushed me to hospital straight away. This is a big factor as to why I am reluctant to eat out at restaurants.

Despite having to live such a strict life, Sewlal says she is actually happy to live with eczema and her allergies.

If Id been born with perfect skin and no allergies, I wouldnt be the person I am proud to be today. I am strong and I am resilient. I have a strong and support structure of friends and family who understand and protect me.

I also have a large support structure online. If there is one thing that allergies have taught me, it is to be grateful. Im grateful for the food I can eat and I am grateful for the delicious meals I am not allergic to. There are many people who are worse off than me.

Death by Puffed Rice

If you had a message for South Africans living with allergies, what would it be?

Go to an allergist if you have either an allergy, eczema or both. I went to an allergist for the first time when I was 20 and she answered all my questions. Ive been to countless specialists for my eczema and allergies and none of them eve referred me to an allergist. I never understood why creams would only help my eczema in the short term. It was because my allergies constantly trigger my eczema.

Going to an allergist not only answered many of my questions but also gave me hope that I can be helped.

You can visit allergyfoundation.co.za to find an allergist in your area. If you do not have an allergy, please do be understanding of those who do. If someone is trying to explain their allergy to you, theyre not trying to be difficult, so just listen. Most people do not dismiss people with allergies on purpose; rather its a lack of understanding that needs to be addressed to potentially save lives in the future.

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Ever hear of someone who has almost 40 allergies and eczema? Well, meet Shivaika Sewlal. This is her story - IOL

NEW YORK, Sept.21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Hoth Therapeutics (NASDAQ: HOTH), a patient-focused biopharmaceutical company, announced today that a Safety Review Committee (SRC) has reviewed the safety data from the first cohort of healthy subjects and recommended that the study proceed to dosing patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. There were no serious adverse events and no drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events observed during the administration of BioLexain healthy subjects. Based on the recommendations of the SRC, Hoth has submitted to the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) overseeing the trial to obtain official approval to proceed dosing the patient cohort. The official submission to HREC occurred on September 10, 2021.

"This second submission to HREC is a welcome next step in our continued investigation of BioLexa," statedRobb Knie, CEO of Hoth Therapeutics. "We look forward to receiving swift HREC approval to advance our trial in patients living with mild to moderate eczema."

Additional information and updates on the BioLexa clinical trial can be found by visiting http://www.hoththerapeutics.comandhttps://clinicaltrials.gov.

About BioLexaBioLexa is a patented, proprietary antimicrobial topical formulation being developed for treatment of diseases mediated by Staphylococcal biofilms. Bacterial biofilms are specialized communities consisting of bacteria adhered to a surface (both biological and abiotic surfaces) and to other bacteria, and often with a protective extracellular matrix. Mature bacterial biofilms often result in chronic, recurrent infections that are difficult to treat due to the barrier effect of the biofilm that facilitates antibiotic resistance and avoiding immune system mechanisms. The BioLexa formulation is optimized to prevent Staphylococcal biofilm formation, keeping the bacteria in a more susceptible state to antimicrobial therapy. This novel mechanism of action has the potential to broadly treat clinical manifestations resulting from Staphylococcal biofilm formation.

About Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new generation therapies for unmet medical needs. Hoth's pipeline development is focused to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from indications including atopic dermatitis, skin toxicities associated with cancer therapy, chronic wounds, psoriasis, asthma, acne, mast-cell derived cancers & anaphylaxis and pneumonia. Hoth has also entered into two different agreements to further the development of two therapeutic prospects to prevent or treat COVID-19. To learn more, please visithttps://ir.hoththerapeutics.com/

Forward-Looking StatementThis press release includes forward-looking statements based upon Hoth's current expectations which may constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws, and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements concern Hoth's business strategies; the timing of regulatory submissions; the ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of existing product candidates and any other product candidates we may develop, and the labeling under any approval we may obtain; the timing and costs of clinical trials, the timing and costs of other expenses; market acceptance of our products; the ultimate impact of the current Coronavirus pandemic, or any other health epidemic, on our business, our clinical trials, our research programs, healthcare systems or the global economy as a whole; our intellectual property; our reliance on third party organizations; our competitive position; our industry environment; our anticipated financial and operating results, including anticipated sources of revenues; our assumptions regarding the size of the available market, benefits of our products, product pricing, timing of product launches; management's expectation with respect to future acquisitions; statements regarding our goals, intentions, plans and expectations, including the introduction of new products and markets; and our cash needs and financing plans. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. You should not place reliance on these forward-looking statements, which include words such as "could," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "may," "continue," "predict," "potential," "project" or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of those terms. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee such outcomes. Hoth may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, market conditions and the factors described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Hoth's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Hoth's other filings made with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All such statements speak only as of the date made. Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as Hoth's current plans, estimates, and beliefs. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Hoth cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Hoth does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events, except as may be required by applicable law.

Contact

Investor Contact:LR Advisors LLCEmail:investorrelations@hoththerapeutics.comwww.hoththerapeutics.comPhone:(678) 570-6791

Media Relations Contact:MakovskyEmail:hoth-mak@makovsky.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hoth-therapeutics-submits-to-ethics-committee-for-approval-to-initiate-patient-cohort-2-in-biolexa-clinical-trial-301381590.html

SOURCE Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.

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Hoth Therapeutics Submits to Ethics Committee for Approval to Initiate Patient Cohort 2 in BioLexa Clinical Trial - BioSpace