Category Archives: Eczema

Xconomy San Francisco

Skin treatments developer Dermira is adding another experimental drug to its pipeline that it plans to test as a potential treatment for eczema, through a deal announced this morning with healthcare giant Roche.

But in picking up the global rights to lebrikizumab, Menlo Park, CA-based Dermira (NASDAQ: DERM) is entering a suddenly crowded field of new treatments for the skin condition, which is characterized by inflamed, itchy, and scaly rashes on the skin. Dermira has agreed to pay Roche $80 million now, plus $55 million next year for global rights to the drug. If Dermira can hit development and regulatory goals for the lebrikizumab, the company could be on the hook to pay Roche up to $250 million more.

Should Dermira commercialize the injectable drug in other diseases, the company would have to pay more than $1 billion as the drug hits undisclosed sales marks. Dermira would also need to pay Roche royalties on the drugs sales. Roche is keeping the rights to the drug in interstitial lung diseases, a group of disorders that lead to progressive scarring of the lungs.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an autoimmune disorder that produces an inflammatory response thats visible on the skin. The condition affects at least 28 million people in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Lebrikizumab is a monoclonal antibody drug that targets interleukin 13, a protein associated with inflammation.

Other pharmas are aiming to address the eczema market with new drugs. Last December, the FDA approved Pfizers (NYSE: PFE) topical ointment crisaborole (Eucrisa) as a treatment for mild-to-moderate eczema. That drug, which blocks the inflammatory enzyme PDE4, came to Pfizer through its $5.2 billion acquisition of Anacor Pharmaceuticals last year. Meanwhile, Tarrytown, NY-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: REGN) received FDA approval in March for its moderate-to-severe eczema drug dupilumab (Dupixent). Like the Roche drug, dupilumab targets interleukin 13.

Dermira and Roche expect to close the licensing deal later this quarter. In early 2018, Dermira plans to start a Phase 2b dose-ranging study, enrolling patients who have moderate-to-severe eczema. The goal of the trial is to find the best dose for a larger Phase 3 clinical trial. Dermira said it expects that it will spend approximately $200 million to get the early results for the Phase 2b study.

Photo by Flicker user Oregon State Universityvia a Creative Commons license.

Frank Vinluan is editor of Xconomy Raleigh-Durham, based in Research Triangle Park. You can reach him at fvinluan [at] xconomy.com

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Dermira Commits $135M for Global Rights to Roche Eczema Drug - Xconomy

Miami Herald

Taking too many antibiotics to treat eczema may worsen your condition Miami Herald Numerous studies have found that people with eczema nearly always have a much higher concentration of S. aureus bacteria living on their skin than those without this common condition. In fact, the more severe the eczema, the greater the amount of S.

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Taking too many antibiotics to treat eczema may worsen your condition - Miami Herald

It started with a persistentitch between two of my toes. I tried everything:tea tree oil, over-the-counter creams, moisturizers. But it just wouldn'tgo away. I was inthe final months of my post-graduate studies, and I couldn't wait to begin my career. I felt like I didn't have time to go see a doctorand even if I did, I would have felt embarrassed to get treatment for an itchy toe. It was annoying and frustrating, but I tried to ignore it.

But thenthe week before I was supposedto start a new job in a new city, a blister the size of my palm suddenly appeared on the ball of my foot. It quicklyspread from my big toe to the centerof my foot. I couldn'tget my shoe on, and it was agony to walk barefoot or in flip-flops. This time, I went to the doctor.

My general practitioner was baffled by the large blister that had appeared seemingly overnight. I was prescribed an antifungal, antibiotic, and steroid cream (I guess to cover all the bases) and the blister was drained. I was able to hobble out of the doctor's office and set about moving to London for my new job.

The thing is, the blisters came back, only worse. My feet wept from the lymph that was building up in them, and they started to spread, first across my toes then, across the bottom of my feet and finally like a rash up the sides of my feet and onto the top. I was in agony.

I had to find a new doctor in my new city very quickly and when I did quickly diagnosed a fungal infection. He prescribed me antifungal medication that was so strong and for so long, that I had to have blood checks to make sure my liver was still functioning properly. Unfortunately, the medication he gave me didnt work, and shockingly, my doctor tried to claim that I wasnt taking the medication properly, and that was the only reason my skin condition hadnt cleared up.

I begged the doctor for a referral to a dermatologist who might be able to do some tests or checks or anything. Grudgingly he agreed.

By this time I was struggling to get to work and had to use crutches to get to the train station every morning, due to the amount of pain the blisters caused me when I was when I was walking. I was learning to drive at the time and had to cancel lessons at short notice, as I would wake up with blisters that were just too painful for me to have been able to use the pedals in the gear stick car I was learning in.

I would wake up at night due to the incessant itching in my feet that never stopped. My skin was bleeding from my scratching, and the skin I didnt scratch would fall off in sodden layers as the blisters oozed fluid all over my feet. As you can imagine, I was pretty desperate by the time I finally saw a dermatologist at the local hospital.

Pompholyx eczema was what he diagnosed, tut tutting at way I had been given enough antifungal medication to kill an elephant as he put it. Pompholyx eczema is a rare form of eczema that causes the formation of fluid filled blisters on the hands and feet. It is normally an adult-onset form of the disease, most commonly being diagnosed in people in their early 20s with a history of childhood eczema. I filled all of those counts.

I was sent away with a new, super-potent prescription-only steroid cream and emollient to sooth my sore, cracked eczematous skin, and stern advice to follow a strict daily routine that involved me wrapping my feet in saran wrap after I had put on the steroid cream to help in sink in. Yes really.

Slowly my skin got better and I started to learn the various triggers for my condition. Stress and anxiety are the big two, so it is perhaps no surprise that I first got the condition at a time when I was sitting exams, job searching and getting ready to move to a new city. Caffeine is problematic, which isnt a surprise as it also causes acne-flare ups from time to time. Heat and anything that makes the skin on my feet sweaty and chaffing can also lead to me limping about for a couple of days.

Later investigation at a different hospital found that I am one of the many people with eczema who reacts to the presence of the bacteriumStaphylococcus Aureuson their skin, so I now manage my condition following some hygiene tips a dermatology nurse gave me, (such as washing my socks, sheets and towels on a hot wash each week) and it seems to be working well.

Today I have no visible signs of eczema on my feet and I dont use any medication except when I have a flare up. Though there is still some stress from the condition, such as worrying about a flare up happening at an important time, I am now much more confident in my ability to deal with my condition and heal my skin, which helps me take it all in my stride.

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I Have a Rare Form of Eczema That Makes It Painful to Walk - Health.com

If you suffer from eczema, then all that itching is making you scratch

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If you suffer from eczema, then all that itching is making you scratch. Here are a few tips on how to get rid of eczema and some treatments.

According to statistics the number of eczema cases being reported has risen 40 per cent in the past four years.

Whether you are unfortunate enough to be born with the skin condition or you develop it in later life, eczema can be painful, embarrassing and debilitating.

What can be done to get your skin back on track? Here are our tips from the health experts

What is eczema?

Eczema close-up

Eczema is red, flaky and itchy skin, which will often crack and weep. The most common type of eczema is atopic (caused by allergies), but people may suffer from contact eczema (flare-ups after touching allergens such as nickel or rubber), discoid (which occurs in coin-shaped patches), or seborrheic (eczema of the scalp).

ALSO READ: 5 Easy Detox drinks to help with weight loss that you can easily fix at home for yourself

Atopic eczema is in your genes, and often goes hand-in-hand with hay fever and asthma.

"You can send eczema into remission, but youll always have it its a case of whether you have symptoms or not," says GP Dr Rob Hicks . "The aim of the treatment is to keep people free from flare-ups."

Although you may be genetically predisposed to eczema, it can only be set off by a trigger, which could be anything from nuts to dog hair, wool to cigarette smoke, and establishing what it is, is key to treatment. The best way to treat eczema is moisturising

1. Don't scratch

Breaking the itch-scratch cycle is vital for recovery. "Scratching may bring temporary relief to the itch, but it actually triggers the release of a chemical called histamine which just causes more itching," says Dr Rob.

Scratching damages the skin and may allow bacteria that normally lives on the surface to get in and cause infection. Keep nails short, and whenever you get the urge to have a scratch, massage the itchy area with moisturiser using the pads of your fingertips.

2. Slather on the cream

ALSO READ: Note to pregnant women: Eat more omena and avocado The best way to treat eczema is moisturising

Most people will need to try a few treatments before they find one that works for them. The best way to treat eczema is moisturising. "You need to grease yourself up like a cross-Channel swimmer!" says GP Dr Matt Piccaver . "Cover your body with moisturiser morning and night, and keep a pot in your bag to top up during the day."

Your doctor can prescribe different emollients, but not all of them will work for everyone. Apply after a shower when the skins still damp to help trap in moisture. Do this rigorously, even when you dont have symptoms.

Dont panic if your favourite cream stops working you may need to switch between a couple of brands.

3. Visit the Doctor

For cases of severe eczema, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist who can prescribe steroid cream, special bandages and wet wraps, or even ultraviolet light therapy.

Although steroids may have nasty side-effects if used long term, a short course is perfectly safe. If left untreated, severe eczema can cause lichenification, which causes the skin to become thick and leathery.

Dr Robs best treatment for a child suffering from eczema? "I recommend the parent gives the child a big hug to show that contact wont hurt them. All too often people are frightened to touch sufferers because theyre worried about causing them pain, or of catching it but eczema is not contagious," says Dr Rob.

4. Go natural Take a couple of handfuls of oatbran and pop it in a muslin bag or old pair of tights

There are plenty of ways you can soothe your skin naturally. Make sure your sheets are cotton, which is kinder to the skin than synthetic materials you could even try wearing cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching. Oatbran has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions.

"Take a couple of handfuls of oatbran and pop it in a muslin bag or old pair of tights. Add the bag to your bath, or hang it from your showerhead to soothe sore skin," says Dr Matt.

If a bath full of porridge doesnt appeal, try aloe vera gel keep it in the fridge so its cool and refreshing, or drink aloe vera juice. Coconut oil is favoured by many sufferers choose an organic, cold pressed variety and rub onto damp skin.

There is often a link with your state of mind and your skin, so set aside time to relax. It is common for eczema to flare up during stressful periods, such as a break-up or starting a new job. "Find ways to reduce stress, such as meditation, yoga or therapy," says nutritionist to the stars Kim Pearson . "Its also important to get enough sleep."

5. Watch out for Food triggers

Food allergies or sensitivities can be a common trigger for many eczema sufferers. Cows milk is a well-known culprit, but other common problem foods include eggs, soya and wheat.

Kim Pearson suggests considering a food elimination diet, which involves cutting out common trigger foods for a period of time and then gradually reintroducing them to see if they cause a flare-up.

"Certain foods can promote inflammation its worth trying to reduce your intake of sugar, refined carbohydrates, and highly processed and deep-fried foods," she says. Keep a symptom and food diary to see if you can establish any links between what you eat and the state of your eczema.

For happy skin, make sure you eat plenty of foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, such as oily fish, flaxseeds and walnuts. "Opt for low glycemic, whole carbohydrate sources such as oats, quinoa and sweet potato, as well as low-sugar fruits such as berries, apples and pears," says Kim. All types of eczema can potentially be improved by changes in diet.

6. Stress

Stress is not always something we consider as a cause of eczema. More often than not we look for external sources like the clothes we wear. But stress can trigger a number of different issues in our body, eczema being just one of them.

Here are a few simple ways to lower your stress levels

Walk more

Have a bedtime bath

Slow your life down

Take a deep breath

Escape life by reading a book, playing a computer game

Excerpt from:
How to get rid of eczema, beat the itch and scratch cycle - The Standard

Sarah Cass Lansdowne Farm, Mogriguy, has created goat's milk soap to help prevent her daughters eczema flare up.

Sarah Cass of Lansdowne Farm, Mogriguy. Photo: Supplied

The natural goat's milk soap. Photo: Supplied

The milk from the goat's are natural and help prevent eczema flare ups. Photo: Supplied

For many years,Sarah Cass ofLansdowneFarm,Mogriguy, felt helpless asher newborn daughter suffered withsevere eczema.

Her daughters condition got so bad, with the eczema weeping and bleeding, and nothing seemingto work, that Sarah took her to Westmead Hospital.

It was there that her daughter,was diagnosed with numerous food allergies that triggered the breakouts.

She was hospitalized and wet wrapped with bandages at one stage to control a severe outbreak.

Sarah and her husband tried numerous creams, steroids, medicines and methods, but found that keeping the products as natural as possible was their best line of defence when it came to fighting the eczema flares.

Coming back home to the familys small hobby farm in the central west, where they run sheep and goats Sarah knew they had to do something.

Having previously worked as a hairdresser, Sarah was aware of chemicals and its affects, so she decided to try her hand at making natural soap from goats milk.

The results were astonishing.

We found that the natural product seemed to help settle her skin better, Sarah said.

While we wont ever cure her eczema it has helped prevent the flare ups.

Friends and family heard of Sarahs natural products and wanted to try it themselves, which was how the idea ofLansdowne Farm was born.

She wanted to start a small business but didnt know where to begin.

Despite being laughed at by an accountant upon hearing the idea, she preserved.

Sarah approached the Orana Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) who were able to provide her withthe advice she needed to move forward with her business idea.

I thought I would get laughed at againBut Orana ASBAS were so supportive, she said.

With no assets other than a couple of soap molds, a milking goat and determination, Sarah was committed to taking this idea from hobby to small business.

I truly believed in the business ideaand I wanted others to experience the benefits my daughter had through the product, Sarahsaid.

So with the help of Orana ASBAS, Sarah launched the business, which is now going from strength to strength with support not only from the local community but the broader Australian public.

Sarah now sells the goats milk soap, plus natural creams, lotions, lip balms, bath salts and mosquito repellent on her website.

She goes to the Dubbo Farmers Markets twice a month and the soap is sold at the Daily Scoop in Dubbos CBD.

If you would like to find out more information please visit//www.lansdownefarm.com.au/

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Goats milk is helping skin - Wellington Times

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, July 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- The itchy, rashy skin condition eczema sometimes takes a heavier toll on adults than children, an expert says.

"Adult eczema patients may have dealt with their symptoms for their entire lives, which can be draining, or they may experience symptoms for the first time as adults, which can be a difficult adjustment," said Dr. Jonathan Silverberg, an assistant professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

"Either way, this condition can take a real toll on them," added Silverberg, director of Northwestern's Multidisciplinary Eczema Center.

Some people mistakenly regard eczema as a childhood disease and not a serious health problem for adults, he said.

"People who aren't familiar with the disease might say, 'It's just eczema.' But for many patients, it's not 'just eczema.' It can be debilitating," Silverberg said in a news release from the American Academy of Dermatology.

The intense itching and dry, red patches of skin can make daily tasks and physical activities difficult, he said. Some evidence suggests it leads to poorer job performance, disrupts sleep, and contributes to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, he explained.

Also, someone with visible eczema may feel social stigma if others incorrectly believe the disease is contagious or associated with poor hygiene, Silverberg said.

"Fortunately for patients, treatment can help alleviate the negative effects of this disease and improve their physical and mental well-being," he added.

Treatment regimens include topical steroids, moisturizers, phototherapy or systemic medications. Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved two new eczema treatments: an anti-inflammatory topical medication for mild to moderate conditions and an injectable drug for tougher cases, according to Silverberg.

WebMD News from HealthDay

SOURCE: American Academy of Dermatology, news release, July 27, 2017

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Eczema Can Take a Toll on Adults - WebMD

Many people with eczema, a common skin disease, may avoid creams and ointments that can help ease symptoms like itching and inflammation because theyre afraid to try topical corticosteroids, a recent study suggests.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, usually develops in early childhood and often runs in families. Scaly, itchy rashes are the main symptoms. The condition can be treated using moisturizers, avoiding certain soaps and other irritants and with prescription creams and ointments containing corticosteroids to relieve itching.

For the study, researchers examined results from 16 previously published studies and found as many as four in five people were afraid to use corticosteroids for eczema. Between one third and one half of people who were prescribed steroid creams but also expressed concerns about them did not adhere to the treatment - meaning they didnt use the creams and missed out on their benefits.

Steroids have developed a bad reputation because of the potential side effects that come with improper or chronic use of high-potency steroids, said senior study author Dr. Richard Antaya, director of pediatric dermatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

Common side effects of corticosteroids can include stretch marks as well as thinning, thickening or darkening of the skin. Less often, these steroids can cause acne or infected hair follicles or more serious side effects in the eyes like glaucoma and cataracts.

The resistance to using topical corticosteroids is definitely partly driven by the confusion over the adverse effects of long term use of high potency steroids versus those of short term use of low potency steroids, Antaya said by email. The risks from using short-term low potency steroids are vastly lower.

For the study, Antaya and colleagues examined studies published from 1946 to 2016 that surveyed patients and caregivers about their opinions of topical corticosteroids. The studies included in the analysis were done in Australia, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Singapore and the U.S.

Two studies compared how often patients used these medicines based on whether or not they had phobias.

In one of these studies, 49 percent of people with phobias didnt adhere to a prescribed steroid cream, compared with 14 percent of patients without concerns. In the second study, 29 percent of people with phobias didnt use their steroid cream, compared with 10 percent of patients who werent worried.

Five of the studies in the analysis looked at why people had phobias and found skin thinning was the most frequent concern, followed by fear that steroids might affect growth and development. Some previous research has found long-term use at high doses may impact growth and development in children.

Limitations of the study include the wide variety of phobia definitions used across the 16 smaller studies in the analysis, the authors note in JAMA Dermatology.

Even so, the findings add to evidence that phobias keep many parents in many parts of the world from using corticosteroids to treat their children with eczema, said Dr. Saxon Smith, a dermatologist at the School of Medicine at the University of Sydney in Australia.

It is critical to recognize the high frequency of fears patients and parents have about using topical corticosteroids, Smith, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email.

Left untreated, eczema doesnt just leave kids itchy, Smith said. Itchy and discomfort can be so severe that kids dont sleep at night, impacting normal development and socialization.

Too often we see infants who suffer and have not slept for months and parents exhausted just because they have wrong fear or beliefs about the treatment or the disease and dont treat their child, Dr. Helene Aubert-Wastiaux, a dermatologist at Nantes University Hospital in France who wasnt involved in the study, said by email.

2017 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.

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Many Eczema Patients Fear Using Steroid Creams - Newsmax

A genetic mutation could be the cause of severe eczema, according to new research published June 19 in Nature Genetics by researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU). Researchers believe these new findings could influence new treatment strategies for the millions of individuals who struggle with this chronic condition.

More than 15 million people suffer from severe eczema in the U.S. It can have a significant impact on their lives it can even disqualify them from serving in the military, according to Dr. Andrew L. Snow, assistant professor in Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics at USU. Our findings suggest that something as simple as glutamine supplementation could be beneficial to patients like this, with or without CARD11 mutations present.

The study, Germline hypomorphic CARD11 mutations in severe atopic disease, was led by Dr. Snow, in collaboration with researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Health (NIH) and other institutions.

Interestingly, they found that glutamine, an essential amino acid needed for normal immune cell functions, which patients can also take as a supplement, might help correct the cellular defects that likely contribute to severe eczema.

Until now, patients with rare genetic mutations shown to cause severe allergic symptoms also suffer frequent infections and other severe immune system defects. In this new study, sequencing the genes of eight patients with severe eczema from four different families revealed they had mutations in the CARD11 gene. Some of these patients had other accompanying health issues, like infections, but others did not. The researchers were then able to determine that mutations in this single gene could cause severe eczema even in the absence of other medical issues.

The team of researchers also sought to understand why these newly discovered CARD11 mutations contributes to severe eczema. They found that although each family had a distinct mutation affecting a different region of the CARD11 protein, each mutation disrupted its normal function in T cells an essential type of white blood cell.

Funding for the study was provided by grants from USU and the NIH.

Read more here:
New Genetic Mutations Linked to Eczema - Pentagram

GETTY

The painful skin condition is becoming a growing problem.

According British Skin Foundation research in 2011, 28 per cent of skin specialists felt they had seen a notable increase in adult eczema cases.

This comes after a report in 2009 that those suffering had risen by 40 per cent in just four years - a trend likely to have continued.

While its most common in children, its possible for it to develop for the first time in adulthood.

GETTY

Eczema happens because of a problem with the skin barrier which means its protective qualities are lost and irritants that cause a reaction get in.

Dr Justine Hextall, a consultant dermatologist and spokeswoman for La Roche-Posay

This could be down to certain unlikely products we use on a daily basis.

Eczema happens because of a problem with the skin barrier which means its protective qualities are lost, explained Dr Justine Hextall, a consultant dermatologist and spokeswoman for La Roche-Posay who have a range, Lipikar, specifically for treating the condition.

This allows irritants to enter more easily, triggering symptoms.

Preservatives are one of the key things that particularly cause a reaction.

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 be avoided as much as possible

GETTY

MI - short for methylisothiazolinone - is a preservative used a in a wide range of shampoos, shower gels, moisturisers and facial wipes.

Men who wash their face with shampoo or soap - which 50 per cent do - are putting themselves at risk of eczema.

While MI is safe, European regulations began to permit stronger concentrations than previously allowed in 2005.

Its been suggested this could be the reason for an increase in eczema - as well as contact dermatitis - in recent years.

GETTY

An increase in eczema has also in the past been blamed on bath gels, particularly in children.

It used to affect just three per cent in the 1950s but now one in five suffer.

Research by Sheffield University revealed that it was our desire for optimum cleanliness that correlated with the rise.

We used to only bathe once or twice a week, while now its daily - consequently our spending on bubble bath and shower gel has sky-rocketed.

Of common eczema triggers, the NHS list soaps and detergents, including shampoo, washing up liquid and bubble bath.

They also suggest cold and dry weather, food allergies, certain materials, hormonal changes and skin infections may also be causes.

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Eczema warning: Why you should never do this in the shower - Express.co.uk

(Reuters Health) - Many people with eczema, a common skin disease, may avoid creams and ointments that can help ease symptoms like itching and inflammation because theyre afraid to try topical corticosteroids, a recent study suggests.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, usually develops in early childhood and often runs in families. Scaly, itchy rashes are the main symptoms. The condition can be treated using moisturizers, avoiding certain soaps and other irritants and with prescription creams and ointments containing corticosteroids to relieve itching.

For the study, researchers examined results from 16 previously published studies and found as many as four in five people were afraid to use corticosteroids for eczema. Between one third and one half of people who were prescribed steroid creams but also expressed concerns about them did not adhere to the treatment - meaning they didnt use the creams and missed out on their benefits.

Steroids have developed a bad reputation because of the potential side effects that come with improper or chronic use of high-potency steroids, said senior study author Dr. Richard Antaya, director of pediatric dermatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

Common side effects of corticosteroids can include stretch marks as well as thinning, thickening or darkening of the skin. Less often, these steroids can cause acne or infected hair follicles or more serious side effects in the eyes like glaucoma and cataracts.

The resistance to using topical corticosteroids is definitely partly driven by the confusion over the adverse effects of long term use of high potency steroids versus those of short term use of low potency steroids, Antaya said by email. The risks from using short-term low potency steroids are vastly lower.

For the study, Antaya and colleagues examined studies published from 1946 to 2016 that surveyed patients and caregivers about their opinions of topical corticosteroids. The studies included in the analysis were done in Australia, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Singapore and the U.S.

Two studies compared how often patients used these medicines based on whether or not they had phobias.

In one of these studies, 49 percent of people with phobias didnt adhere to a prescribed steroid cream, compared with 14 percent of patients without concerns. In the second study, 29 percent of people with phobias didnt use their steroid cream, compared with 10 percent of patients who werent worried.

Five of the studies in the analysis looked at why people had phobias and found skin thinning was the most frequent concern, followed by fear that steroids might affect growth and development. Some previous research has found long-term use at high doses may impact growth and development in children.

Limitations of the study include the wide variety of phobia definitions used across the 16 smaller studies in the analysis, the authors note in JAMA Dermatology.

Even so, the findings add to evidence that phobias keep many parents in many parts of the world from using corticosteroids to treat their children with eczema, said Dr. Saxon Smith, a dermatologist at the School of Medicine at the University of Sydney in Australia.

It is critical to recognize the high frequency of fears patients and parents have about using topical corticosteroids, Smith, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email.

Left untreated, eczema doesnt just leave kids itchy, Smith said. Itchy and discomfort can be so severe that kids dont sleep at night, impacting normal development and socialization.

Too often we see infants who suffer and have not slept for months and parents exhausted just because they have wrong fear or beliefs about the treatment or the disease and dont treat their child, Dr. Helene Aubert-Wastiaux, a dermatologist at Nantes University Hospital in France who wasnt involved in the study, said by email.

SOURCE: bit.ly/2tZvKrU JAMA Dermatology, online July 19, 2017.

Read this article:
Fear keeps many eczema patients from using steroid creams - Reuters