It may be possible to prevent babies from getting eczemaa costly, inflammatory skin disorderjust by applying something as inexpensive as petroleum jelly every day for the first six months of life. <\/p>\n
A new study published inJAMA Pediatricsshows that seven common moisturizers could inexpensively prevent eczema in high-risk newborns. <\/p>\n
By using the cheapest moisturizer in the study (petroleum jelly), the cost benefit for prophylactic moisturization was only $353 per quality-adjusted life yeara generic measure of disease burden that assesses the monetary value of medical interventions in ones life. <\/p>\n
Eczema affects as many as 20 percent of children and costs the US healthcare system as much as $3.8 billion dollars every year. <\/p>\n
Previous studies have shown that families caring for a child with the skin disorder can spend as much as 35 percent of their discretionary incomean average of $274 per month. <\/p>\n
Its not only terrible for the kids, but also for their families, says Steve Xu, a resident physician in dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Eczema can be devastating. <\/p>\n
Beyond the intractable itch, a higher risk of infections, and sleep problems, a child with eczema means missed time from school, missed time from work for parents, and huge out-of-pocket expenses. So if we can prevent that with a cheap moisturizer, we should be doing it. <\/p>\n
Early studies from Japan, the US and the UK have suggested that full-body application of moisturizers for six to eight months, beginning within the first few weeks of life, can reduce the risk that eczema will develop. <\/p>\n
The new study took that one step further and examined the cost-effectiveness of seven common, over-the-counter moisturizer products, such as petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, Cetaphil, and Aveeno. <\/p>\n
Theres an important economic argument to be made here, Xu says. Moisturizers are an important intervention dermatologists use to treat eczema. <\/p>\n
They play a big role in getting our patients better. But insurers do not usually cover the cost of moisturizers. Were arguing for their inclusion in health insurance coverage. <\/p>\n
While the evidence on prophylactic moisturization is preliminary, Xu says, Were not giving them an oral drug or injecting them with a medication; there is minimal risk. <\/p>\n
Were putting Vaseline on these babies to potentially prevent a very devastating disease. <\/p>\n
Follow Knowridge Science Report onFacebook. <\/p>\n
News source:Northwestern University. The content is edited for length and style purposes. Figure legend: This Knowridge.com image is for illustrative purposes only. <\/p>\n
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Read the original post: It may be possible to prevent babies from getting eczemaa costly, inflammatory skin disorderjust by applying something as inexpensive as petroleum jelly every day for the first six months of life. A new study published inJAMA Pediatricsshows that seven common moisturizers could inexpensively prevent eczema in high-risk newborns. By using the cheapest moisturizer in the study (petroleum jelly), the cost benefit for prophylactic moisturization was only $353 per quality-adjusted life yeara generic measure of disease burden that assesses the monetary value of medical interventions in ones life. Continue reading
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