NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) Millions of children and adults in the U.S. have to cope with the constant itching of eczema. And all that scratching can lead to bleeding and infections.<\/p>\n
A new technology can finally measure just how much someone is scratching and help to better treat patients, CBS2s Dr. Max Gomez reported.<\/p>\n
Jan-Kai Chang said his daughter Cynthias eczema is so bad that sometimes the five-year-old scratches until she bleeds.<\/p>\n
We tried to ask her to stop scratching when she feels itchy. But you can imagine that its too hard, Chang said.<\/p>\n
The itching can be unbearable for the 10 million kids and 16 million adults with atopic dermatitis (eczema). But its a challenge to actually measure how much someone is scratching.<\/p>\n
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a first-of-its-kind wearable sensor that can quantify itching by measuring scratching.<\/p>\n
Its sort of an old saying. If you cant measure it, you cant manage it,' said Northwesterns Dr. Steve Xu.<\/p>\n
The soft, flexible, wireless device measures vibrations from the hand and can capture all forms of scratching finger, wrist and elbow motion related.<\/p>\n
An algorithm picks out just scratching and doesnt flag similar movements, like waving. A study validating its accuracy was recently published in Science Advances.<\/p>\n
Dr. Xu said having an objective measure of scratching can lead to better care for itchy conditions.<\/p>\n
If things look like theyre getting worse, that might require a treatment change, a treatment adaptation, Xu said. And also can reinforce that something is working right, that this child is scratching less, sleeping better.<\/p>\n
Cynthia took part in the sensor testing and her dad said they learned a lot.<\/p>\n
When its windy, we have to apply a lot of topical lotion, moisturizer before she went to bed, Chang said. And that can significantly reduce the scratching time.<\/p>\n
While the sensor was tested in patients with eczema, it can be used with any condition that causes children and adults to itch.<\/p>\n
Researchers expect the sensor to be widely available as soon as the end of this year.<\/p>\n
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\nResearchers Develop Wireless Sensor That Measures Scratching To Improve Eczema And Other Anti-Itch Treatments - CBS New York<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"