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Psychiatric Treatment of Eczema: A Controlled Trial
The big idea: Many factors may contribute to the onset and course of eczema, one amongst them potentially being psychological factors. What the study asked: The study sought to explore the following hypotheses: Psychiatric treatment improves the outcome in cases of eczema independent of the degree of overt psychological disturbance. It improves the outcome only when there is overt psychological disturbance. It improves the outcomes particularly when emotional disturbance is “
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2 min read
A Systematic Review of Probiotics for the Treatment of Eczema
The big idea: Multiple intervention trials have been made to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of probiotics as treatment for eczema. However, results were mixed hence mostly inconclusive. Therefore this study carried out randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to further determine the efficacy of probiotics. What the study asked: The study aimed to investigate if probiotics are an effective treatment for eczema. What the study did: Researchers looked through major medic
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1 min read
Foods that Trigger or Improve Atopic Dermatitis
The big idea: Food allergies can trigger or worsen atopic dermatitis (eczema), particularly in infants and children with severe cases. This is distinct from Systemic Contact Dermatitis (SCD), which occurs when consuming food antigens or additives causes an immune-mediated allergic reaction in individuals sensitized through the skin or gut. What the study asked: The study aimed to explore: If food can actually trigger or worsen the condition of atopic dermatitis, and What some
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3 min read
The Effect of Glycerine and Urea on Dry Skin in Atopic Dermatitis
The big idea: Moisturising creams are useful treatment adjuncts in atopic eczema and have beneficial effects in the treatment of dry, scaly skin. This is as moisturising creams occlude the skin and contain humectants (most commonly urea, lactic acid, PCA and glycerine) to increase its water content. What the study asked: The study aimed to investigate whether glycerine and urea in moisturising creams actually demonstrate possible differences in mechanism and effects when it c
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2 min read
A Systematic Review of the Cost Concerns of Eczema Treatments
The big idea: This study aims to review all the economic evidence about eczema treatments and prevention at any age. By looking at the current economic studies on eczema, this research will help improve the evidence needed for making decisions about which treatments are most cost-effective. What the study asked: What type of health economic evidence has been used in the evaluation of the prevention and treatment of atopic eczema? Are interventions to prevent and treat atopic
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2 min read
A Review of four common Medicinal Plants used to Treat Eczema
The big idea: Many medicinal plant species worldwide are used in traditional medicine for treating different diseases. What the study asked: The study summarised the scientific data published on four common medicinal plants, namely, aloe vera, oats, turmeric, and chamomile. What the study did: The review was achieved using an organised search of scientific data published on the four medicinal plants used for the treatment of eczema. The searches were carried out using va
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4 min read
Topical probiotic Lactobacillus lactis treatment in atopic dermatitis: a placebo-controlled pilot study on tolerability and efficacy
The big idea: The tolerability and efficacy of probiotic lactobacillus lactis lysate cream in treating atopic dermatitis is investigated by measuring patients' qualitative feedback (e.g. Dermatology life quality index) and clinical patient data (e.g. eosinophil count). Probiotic lactobacillus lactis lysate creams are part of a newer “microbiome-based” approach to treating atopic dermatitis. This approach repairs the skin barrier function and modulates inflammation. What the s
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2 min read
Enhanced early skin treatment for atopic dermatitis in infants reduces food allergy
The big idea: Early-onset atopic dermatitis (AD) is a strong risk factor for food allergy, suggesting that early effective treatment may prevent transcutaneous sensitisation (the process where the immune system becomes allergic to an external substance after it penetrates the skin barrier). What the study asked: This study tested whether enhanced treatment of AD to clinically affected and unaffected skin is more effective in preventing hen’s egg allergy than reactive treatmen
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2 min read
Investigating Human T Cell Response to CD1a and Contact Dermatitis Allergens in Botanical Extracts and Commercial Skin Care Products
The big idea: During industrialisation, humans have been exposed to increasing numbers of foreign chemicals. Failure of the immune system to tolerate drugs, cosmetics, and other skin products causes allergic contact dermatitis: a T cell-mediated disease with rising prevalence. Thus, this study explains why some creams and cosmetics may cause eczema breakouts. What the study asked: The goal of the study was to determine whether known contact allergens can bind to CD1a and sti
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2 min read
Maternal stress triggers early-life eczema through fetal mast cell programming
The big idea: The effect of prenatal stress (PS) on atopic dermatitis at birth was investigated and was found to induce fluctuations in maternal hormones. This resulted in dysregulations in the fetal immune system, leading to altered mast cell and sensory neuron function, which predisposes offspring to develop eczema as a response to typically harmless friction on skin after birth. What the study asked: Considering that previous studies suggested an association between PS a
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3 min read
What adjuvant treatments work for Atopic Eczema? An Updated Review of Clinical Trial Evidence.
The big idea: The aim of this review was to create an updated summary of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that tested different treatments for atopic eczema. By reviewing and combining the results of these trials, researchers hoped to make clearer, evidence-based treatment recommendations using both descriptive summaries and statistical analysis. What the study asked: What evidence supports the usefulness of different treatments, including adjuvant (supportive) therapies,
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2 min read
What We Wear Matters: How Fabrics Influence Atopic Eczema
The big idea: Many people with eczema may find that certain clothing fabrics cause overheating, sweating, and irritation, which sets off the dreaded itch. Rough seams, fibres, fastenings, and threads can also cause problems for sensitive skin. Your choice of clothing can make a considerable difference to how comfortable you feel. What the study asked: How do different fabrics interact with the skin to improve or worsen atopic eczema? What the study did: The study reviewed t
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3 min read
The use of dupilumab in children and adolescents with severe atopic dermatitis (AD): a systematic review and meta-analysis
The big idea: Dupilumab is a treatment for moderate to severe AD in adults and children aged 12 years and older, and severe AD in children aged 6 months to 11 years. Dupilumab is a type of biologic drug called a monoclonal antibody → these target specific proteins or receptors in the body, blocking the proteins from binding to their receptors, to regulate the immune response or interfere with disease processes. Such biologic drugs have fewer potential side effects than immu
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2 min read
Chinese herbal medicine research in eczema treatment
The big idea: This article reviews existing scientific evidence on Chinese herbal medicine for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and concludes that while some studies show potential benefits, overall evidence remains limited and inconclusive. What the study asked: The article sought to examine whether Chinese herbal medicine is an effective and safe treatment option for atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition commonly associated with itching, sleep d
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2 min read
How are symptoms of atopic dermatitis influenced by outdoor air pollution?
The big idea: Outdoor air pollution specifically in the form of Particulate matter (PM10) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can trigger or worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms. What the study asked: How does outdoor pollution affect symptoms of atopic dermatitis? What the study did: This study was conducted in Seoul, South Korea, with infants (35 month olds average). The parents recorded their child’s daily symptoms. The researchers collected daily outdoor air pollution dat
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1 min read
What causes worsening of eczema? A systematic review
The big idea: Flares of eczema are attributed to many factors, often with minimal scientific evidence. Many of these beliefs come from personal experiences or anecdotal advice rather than strong scientific evidence. This study reviewed existing research to find out what actually causes eczema to worsen. What the study asked: The researchers aimed to determine which factors truly cause eczema flare-ups based on scientific evidence. Instead of relying on opinions or patient q
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2 min read
Eczema and the Importance of the Physical Environment
The big idea: Environmental triggers are primary culprits behind eczema flare-ups, aggravating skin that already has a weakened natural barrier. Managing exposure to indoor and outdoor elements (such as extreme weather, allergens, air pollution, and harsh chemicals) is essential to minimizing inflammation and controlling the itch-scratch cycle. What the study asked: The study aimed to investigate the extent to which the environment impacts eczema’s severity and specifically w
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2 min read
Phototherapy for eczema: Narrow-band Ultraviolet B, Broad-band Ultraviolet A, and visible light – which is the best?
The big idea: In eczema, phototherapy is the use of controlled doses of medical-grade ultraviolet (UV) light to reduce inflammation, itching, and improve skin clearance. There are three types of phototherapy used in the treatment of atopic eczema – broadband UVB, narrowband UVB, and UVA. What the study asked: This study aimed to compare the three different forms of phototherapy, specifically narrow-band UVB, UVA, and visible light therapy, as second-line, adjunctive treatmen
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2 min read
Reviewing Frequent Concerns regarding the use of Topical Corticosteroids in Paediatric Eczema
The big idea: Introduction to how topical corticosteroids (TCS) treat eczema: Glucocorticosteroids have anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-proliferative and vasoconstrictive effects. On the cellular level, glucocorticoids act as ligands that regulate gene expression and transcription of various mRNA, resulting in both the beneficial and potentially deleterious effects of steroids. Topical corticosteroids treat atopic eczema by reducing skin inflammation (redness and s
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2 min read
The Efficacy of Colloidal Oatmeal Cream 1% as Add-on Therapy in the Management of Chronic Irritant Hand Eczema: A Double-Blind Study
The big idea: Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is the most frequent cause of hand eczema (HE). There is promising evidence regarding the use of topical oatmeal compounds in the management of inflammation and itch-responses associated with diverse dermatologic conditions. What the study asked: The study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefit of colloidal oatmeal cream in the management of chronic irritant hand eczema. What the study did: A double-blind study was conducted to
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2 min read
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