Severe eczema in adults linked to increased risk of cardiovascular problems

BMJ: Severe eczema in adults is associated with a moderately increased risk of cardiovascular problems (conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels) including heart attacks, stroke, and irregular heart rate, finds a UK study published by The BMJ today. This is the largest study to date to assess the association between atopic eczema and major cardiovascular events, and the researchers say their findings support the consideration of targeted screening and focus on prevention strategies among these patients.

Bacteria therapy for eczema shows promise in study

NIH: Topical treatment with live Roseomonas mucosa — a bacterium naturally present on the skin — was safe for adults and children with atopic dermatitis (eczema) and was associated with reduced disease severity, according to initial findings from an ongoing early-phase clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health. Preclinical work in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis had suggested that R. mucosa strains collected from healthy skin can relieve disease symptoms. The new findings, published May 3 in JCI Insight, support further evaluation of this potential new therapy.

Transplanting Good Bacteria to Kill Staph

UCSD: Healthy human skin is alive with bacteria. In fact, there are more microorganisms living in and on the human body than there are human cells. Most can live on the human skin without harming the host, but in some people bacteria can negatively alter their health, maybe even become life-threatening. University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers screened 10,000 colonies of bacteria found on the epidermis to determine how many had antimicrobial properties and at what rate these are found on healthy and non-healthy skin. In a paper published February 22 in Science Translational Medicine, the team reports isolating and growing good bacteria that produce antimicrobial peptides and successfully transplanting it to treat patients with the most common type of eczema, known as atopic dermatitis.

Eczema Medication Unlikely to Increase Risk of Cancer in Children

Pennsylvania University. US: The topical eczema medicine pimecrolimus appears unlikely to be associated with an increased risk of cancer in children, based on a group of children who were followed for 10 years, according to study published online this week in JAMA Dermatology.

House dust mite reduction and avoidance measures for treating eczema

Cochrane: Eczema is an intensely itchy skin disease that tends to involve skin creases, such as the folds of the elbows or knees. It is a worldwide problem affecting 5% to 20% of children. Around 2% of adults have the condition, and many have a more chronic and severe form. As many as a third of people with eczema who have a positive test for allergy to house dust mite have reported worsening of eczema or respiratory symptoms when exposed to dust.

Eczema

Definition:

Eczema is a skin condition characterized by dry, red, and itchy patches on the skin. Eczema is associated with asthma and allergy, though allergy rarely plays a role in development or severity of eczema. Eczema usually begins during infancy, typically on the face, scalp, neck, extensor sides of the forearms, and legs. Up to one in five infants develops eczema, but in more than half of them, the condition improves or disappears completely before they are 15 years old.

Eczema

Author: Dr Bryan Cho University of California SF 2009-01-22
Eczema: Atopic Dermatitis. Eczema is a common skin problem.

Eczema is a common skin disorder that affects about one of every ten children. The condition can occur at any age but is most common in infants and young adults. Eczema occurs in all races. Ninety percent of patients who will develop eczema will have symptoms by five years of age; ninety-five percent by fifteen years of age. There is no single lab test or biopsy that will diagnose eczema. The diagnosis is based upon the appearance and symptoms of the skin rash, as well as whether related medical conditions, such as hay fever or asthma, are present in the patient or the patient’s family members.