Wednesday, March 29, 2006
European Panel Advocates Careful Use Of Eczema Treatment Creams
The European Medicines Agency said on Monday two prescription creams used to treat eczema could still be used but "with greater caution" to reduce skin cancer and lymphoma risks.
The creams are Novartis AG's Elidel and Astellas Pharma Inc's Protopic, the London-based agency said in a statement, adding "the benefit associated with the use of these dermatological medicinal products outweigh the risks".
Its Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has been reviewing the safety of the two creams since last April following reports of skin cancer and lymphoma in patients.
"On the basis of the available data, the committee was unable to conclude whether Protopic/Protopy or Elidel caused the reported cases of skin cancer or lymphoma," the European Medicines Agency said.
The creams' makers have been asked to gather more data on long-term safety. In the meantime, "patients who are using Protopic/Protopy or Elidel should not stop or modify their treatment without consulting their prescribing healthcare professional," the agency said.
On January 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Elidel and Protopic would carry strong warnings about the possible risk of skin cancer, lymphoma and other cancers.
The creams now come with a "black-box" warning -- the strongest type used in the United States. FDA officials said while a clear link between the drugs and cancer risk had not been found, there were enough reports to warrant the change.
Eczema, a rash-like inflammation that causes itchy, red skin, can also be treated with antihistamines, oral and topical steroids and over-the-counter products.
The creams are Novartis AG's Elidel and Astellas Pharma Inc's Protopic, the London-based agency said in a statement, adding "the benefit associated with the use of these dermatological medicinal products outweigh the risks".
Its Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has been reviewing the safety of the two creams since last April following reports of skin cancer and lymphoma in patients.
"On the basis of the available data, the committee was unable to conclude whether Protopic/Protopy or Elidel caused the reported cases of skin cancer or lymphoma," the European Medicines Agency said.
The creams' makers have been asked to gather more data on long-term safety. In the meantime, "patients who are using Protopic/Protopy or Elidel should not stop or modify their treatment without consulting their prescribing healthcare professional," the agency said.
On January 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Elidel and Protopic would carry strong warnings about the possible risk of skin cancer, lymphoma and other cancers.
The creams now come with a "black-box" warning -- the strongest type used in the United States. FDA officials said while a clear link between the drugs and cancer risk had not been found, there were enough reports to warrant the change.
Eczema, a rash-like inflammation that causes itchy, red skin, can also be treated with antihistamines, oral and topical steroids and over-the-counter products.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Protecting Hands With Eczema
The next time you reach for a sponge soaked with your favorite cleanser without using gloves, listen to the hand.
One hand to another: Why are you worked into a lather? Harsh products really irritate me.
All cleaning products are not equal when it comes to harshness to hands.
If it's already dry, cracking and itching, it's probably telling you that it's tired of being abused. If it's not yet, it probably will. The longer you expose those digits to household chemical cocktails, the more apparent cardboard-hard hands will become.
On its own, skin produces a waxy barrier to keep harmful chemicals out and moisture in, says Racine-based dermatologist Kenneth Pechman, who treats myriad skin condi tions.
"It's like a raincoat," he explains of the skin's protective coat. "It's waxy and flexible. But when it heats up the barrier becomes liquid and can be washed away."
The good news is that the barrier replenishes itself within an hour, Pechman says. But over time, hands that have been abused for days on end develop thicker, harder skin.
Soaps and detergents are often the culprits. Once they and other forces erode that protective barrier, the skin starts to dry out, crack, itch and burn. The damage results in a condition formally called irritant contact dermatitis, or informally known as dishpan hands. But in many cases it all can be turned around with a few lifestyle changes.
For starters, slip on a protective glove.
"If you're using chemicals that are caustic, it's probably beneficial," Pechman says of a gloved hand.
Just make sure to examine the gloves often. "Don't forget to change them, especially if you get a little pinhole in them," he says. "Otherwise, your hands will bathe in the chemicals as the hands sweat."
If your to-do list includes everything from washing clothes to washing hair, Pechman suggests grouping such water tasks together. "If you get into water and then allow the hands to dry the continuing cycle is damaging," he says.
Yet, gloves can only do so much. Take dishwashing, for instance. "While the glove is protecting you from the chemical agent, it's not from thermal injury," he explains.
He suggests using tepid water, instead of hot water, to clean dishes and not allowing the hands to air dry. Instead, blot the hands and promptly apply an unscented moisturizer. "Remember that the barrier takes a while to replenish," he says. "And the moisturizer offers a temporary barrier."
When choosing a moisturizer, Pechman says, check the labels. Fragrances should be avoided, and creams and emollients that include alcohols and plant extracts may be drying and irritating. Preservatives like parabens (that extend products' shelf life) and Kathon CG (often found in shampoos and conditioners) can be problematic, too, as can wool oil, wool alcohols or lanolin for those with eczema.
Once you decide on the right moisturizer, apply it correctly. "You want to have slow gentle strokes to avoid friction injury," he says. "Gently massage one hand over the other."
Over time, the condition should improve. But if it doesn't, Pechman says, it's best to seek professional help.
Linda Cobb, author of six common-sense housecleaning guides and host of the DIY Network's "Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean" series, says hands weren't meant to be exposed to so many chemicals in the name of cleanliness.
"On average, people will open about seven cleaners each time they clean their house," she says. "And, 99% of those will have a chemical agent involved. Their labels will say, 'Don't ingest or inhale,' and all of those are hazardous to our hands."
While a proponent of wearing rubber latex gloves and other protective gear, Cobb says she believes in using gentler products and home remedies first and foremost.
"Look for cleansers with the Green Seal logo," she says, speaking of the approval stamp offered by a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit group for products and services it deems environmentally safe. "They're 100% natural and biodegradable."
She says the Holy Cow line, for example, is worth it. "It's safe enough to wash your dog or your car engine. And while it wouldn't taste good, it wouldn't harm you (if you ingested it) either." There are other natural products lines on the market as well.
Cobb also is known for her knack for concocting homemade solutions. "Go back to using baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice to clean," she says, "and your hands will automatically improve."
Her alternative to commercial drain cleaners? Use a cup of salt, a cup of baking soda and a large tea kettle of boiling water to clear a clog.
Her homemade furniture polish: Take a cup of olive oil and one-fourth cup of white vinegar and mix well.
If your list of chores includes tubs full of water, Cobb suggests wearing a latex or synthetic glove or buying a liquid glove product that applies like a hand cream and dries into a protective coating.
Among tangible glove varieties, lined ones are preferred, she says, because "they go on and off easier." After use, remember to wash them with soapy water and allow them to dry thoroughly, inside and out.
It's also best, she says, to keep pairs in the kitchen and in each bathroom of your house.
Consumer expert Paula Begoun is known for her Paula's Choice beauty line, her sassy Web site Cosmeticscop.com and for authoring multiple beauty guides including, "Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me." Begoun contends that there is life after hard hands.
Her advice: Get your hands out of these detergents. "Even the healthiest of skin can only take so much bleach, washing dishes, doing the floors and baby," she says.
Steer clear of bar soaps. "They're incredibly drying," she says.
Use a well-formulated moisturizing sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher. "Be religious about it," says Begoun.
Use a moisturizing emollient at night. Dove's Essential line, she says, is effective and cheap.
For extra dry body parts, apply a drop of olive oil on top of your moisturizer. "Massage it into your skin," she says. "Olive oil is a great antioxidant."
A word to the wise: A good moisturizer, Begoun says, will not come in a jar but an airtight container in order to keep the antioxidant ingredients active and stabilized.
One hand to another: Why are you worked into a lather? Harsh products really irritate me.
All cleaning products are not equal when it comes to harshness to hands.
If it's already dry, cracking and itching, it's probably telling you that it's tired of being abused. If it's not yet, it probably will. The longer you expose those digits to household chemical cocktails, the more apparent cardboard-hard hands will become.
On its own, skin produces a waxy barrier to keep harmful chemicals out and moisture in, says Racine-based dermatologist Kenneth Pechman, who treats myriad skin condi tions.
"It's like a raincoat," he explains of the skin's protective coat. "It's waxy and flexible. But when it heats up the barrier becomes liquid and can be washed away."
The good news is that the barrier replenishes itself within an hour, Pechman says. But over time, hands that have been abused for days on end develop thicker, harder skin.
Soaps and detergents are often the culprits. Once they and other forces erode that protective barrier, the skin starts to dry out, crack, itch and burn. The damage results in a condition formally called irritant contact dermatitis, or informally known as dishpan hands. But in many cases it all can be turned around with a few lifestyle changes.
For starters, slip on a protective glove.
"If you're using chemicals that are caustic, it's probably beneficial," Pechman says of a gloved hand.
Just make sure to examine the gloves often. "Don't forget to change them, especially if you get a little pinhole in them," he says. "Otherwise, your hands will bathe in the chemicals as the hands sweat."
If your to-do list includes everything from washing clothes to washing hair, Pechman suggests grouping such water tasks together. "If you get into water and then allow the hands to dry the continuing cycle is damaging," he says.
Yet, gloves can only do so much. Take dishwashing, for instance. "While the glove is protecting you from the chemical agent, it's not from thermal injury," he explains.
He suggests using tepid water, instead of hot water, to clean dishes and not allowing the hands to air dry. Instead, blot the hands and promptly apply an unscented moisturizer. "Remember that the barrier takes a while to replenish," he says. "And the moisturizer offers a temporary barrier."
When choosing a moisturizer, Pechman says, check the labels. Fragrances should be avoided, and creams and emollients that include alcohols and plant extracts may be drying and irritating. Preservatives like parabens (that extend products' shelf life) and Kathon CG (often found in shampoos and conditioners) can be problematic, too, as can wool oil, wool alcohols or lanolin for those with eczema.
Once you decide on the right moisturizer, apply it correctly. "You want to have slow gentle strokes to avoid friction injury," he says. "Gently massage one hand over the other."
Over time, the condition should improve. But if it doesn't, Pechman says, it's best to seek professional help.
Linda Cobb, author of six common-sense housecleaning guides and host of the DIY Network's "Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean" series, says hands weren't meant to be exposed to so many chemicals in the name of cleanliness.
"On average, people will open about seven cleaners each time they clean their house," she says. "And, 99% of those will have a chemical agent involved. Their labels will say, 'Don't ingest or inhale,' and all of those are hazardous to our hands."
While a proponent of wearing rubber latex gloves and other protective gear, Cobb says she believes in using gentler products and home remedies first and foremost.
"Look for cleansers with the Green Seal logo," she says, speaking of the approval stamp offered by a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit group for products and services it deems environmentally safe. "They're 100% natural and biodegradable."
She says the Holy Cow line, for example, is worth it. "It's safe enough to wash your dog or your car engine. And while it wouldn't taste good, it wouldn't harm you (if you ingested it) either." There are other natural products lines on the market as well.
Cobb also is known for her knack for concocting homemade solutions. "Go back to using baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice to clean," she says, "and your hands will automatically improve."
Her alternative to commercial drain cleaners? Use a cup of salt, a cup of baking soda and a large tea kettle of boiling water to clear a clog.
Her homemade furniture polish: Take a cup of olive oil and one-fourth cup of white vinegar and mix well.
If your list of chores includes tubs full of water, Cobb suggests wearing a latex or synthetic glove or buying a liquid glove product that applies like a hand cream and dries into a protective coating.
Among tangible glove varieties, lined ones are preferred, she says, because "they go on and off easier." After use, remember to wash them with soapy water and allow them to dry thoroughly, inside and out.
It's also best, she says, to keep pairs in the kitchen and in each bathroom of your house.
Consumer expert Paula Begoun is known for her Paula's Choice beauty line, her sassy Web site Cosmeticscop.com and for authoring multiple beauty guides including, "Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me." Begoun contends that there is life after hard hands.
Her advice: Get your hands out of these detergents. "Even the healthiest of skin can only take so much bleach, washing dishes, doing the floors and baby," she says.
Steer clear of bar soaps. "They're incredibly drying," she says.
Use a well-formulated moisturizing sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher. "Be religious about it," says Begoun.
Use a moisturizing emollient at night. Dove's Essential line, she says, is effective and cheap.
For extra dry body parts, apply a drop of olive oil on top of your moisturizer. "Massage it into your skin," she says. "Olive oil is a great antioxidant."
A word to the wise: A good moisturizer, Begoun says, will not come in a jar but an airtight container in order to keep the antioxidant ingredients active and stabilized.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Eczema May Be Uncomfortable But Not Dangerous
Most kids get rashes at one time or another. One in 10 children will develop eczema.
Eczema is a particularly itchy rash that scratching only makes worse.
The term refers to a number of conditions where the skin gets red, irritated, and occasionally, fills with small fluid-filled bumps.
Kids who get eczema often have allergies or asthma, or their family members do, the Nemours Foundation says.
For many children, the condition eases after age 5 or 6. But some children may experience flare-ups through adolescence.
Eczema is not contagious and can be treated with steroidal creams or ointments.
Eczema is a particularly itchy rash that scratching only makes worse.
The term refers to a number of conditions where the skin gets red, irritated, and occasionally, fills with small fluid-filled bumps.
Kids who get eczema often have allergies or asthma, or their family members do, the Nemours Foundation says.
For many children, the condition eases after age 5 or 6. But some children may experience flare-ups through adolescence.
Eczema is not contagious and can be treated with steroidal creams or ointments.
Eczema May Be Uncomfortable But Not Dangerous
Most kids get rashes at one time or another. One in 10 children will develop eczema.
Eczema is a particularly itchy rash that scratching only makes worse.
The term refers to a number of conditions where the skin gets red, irritated, and occasionally, fills with small fluid-filled bumps.
Kids who get eczema often have allergies or asthma, or their family members do, the Nemours Foundation says.
For many children, the condition eases after age 5 or 6. But some children may experience flare-ups through adolescence.
Eczema is not contagious and can be treated with steroidal creams or ointments.
Eczema is a particularly itchy rash that scratching only makes worse.
The term refers to a number of conditions where the skin gets red, irritated, and occasionally, fills with small fluid-filled bumps.
Kids who get eczema often have allergies or asthma, or their family members do, the Nemours Foundation says.
For many children, the condition eases after age 5 or 6. But some children may experience flare-ups through adolescence.
Eczema is not contagious and can be treated with steroidal creams or ointments.
Friday, March 17, 2006
The Treatment of Eczema
It is important in the treatment of eczema to treat the specific cause of your eczema and the aggravating factors in as many ways as possible. One way to treat or cure your eczema is behavioral. Those who make positive changes to their lifestyles such as eating habits and reduce their level of stress often experience a much greater degree of eczema clearing. While you try to treat the symptoms of eczema that are most visible and distressing, you should also try to treat the cause!
Usually the first symptom of eczema is intense itching; this itching can be very uncomfortable and individuals may tend to scratch the skin. The itchy feeling is an important symptom in eczema, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of eczema. One needs to find a way to break the chain of itching and reaction. Scratching while difficult to avoid should be minimized because it can only make the eczema symptoms worse. The dry skin will become redder in color and may even crack due to scratching. This scratching may also lead to infection.
Usually the first symptom of eczema is intense itching; this itching can be very uncomfortable and individuals may tend to scratch the skin. The itchy feeling is an important symptom in eczema, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of eczema. One needs to find a way to break the chain of itching and reaction. Scratching while difficult to avoid should be minimized because it can only make the eczema symptoms worse. The dry skin will become redder in color and may even crack due to scratching. This scratching may also lead to infection.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Treating Eczema With Probiotics
Chicory, blue cheese and yogurt may not be on your daily menu, but these foods are emerging as possible new ways to prevent -- and perhaps treat -- a host of common ailments, from itchy eczema to traveler's diarrhea.
It all comes down to healthy bacteria.
Trillions of these microscopic organisms -- more than the number of cells elsewhere in the body as a whole -- populate the gastrointestinal tract, especially the colon. There they serve as a key line of defense against harmful bacteria, viruses and toxins that attempt to invade the body through the intestines.
"It is becoming more and more apparent that an appropriate microbial balance in the intestine is crucial for human health," note the University of Munich's Ilse J. Broekaert and Harvard University's W. Allan Walker in a review article published recently in Nutrition Today.
As the team reports, changes in diet -- for example, decreased consumption of fermented foods such as blue cheese and buttermilk -- have altered the natural balance in the intestines for many people. Increased use of antibiotics has also taken a toll on healthy bacteria.
That shift comes just as scientists better understand the value of these beneficial organisms, which have tongue-twisting names but are known collectively as probiotics. Among the leading strains are bifidobacteria and lactobacillus.
Studies show that when probiotics are given to children with diarrhea, they can shorten the illness' duration by a day. They also boost immune response to polio and rotavirus vaccinations and cut by up to 40 percent the diarrhea linked with antibiotic use.
There's also evidence that they can help reduce the bloating and flatulence of irritable bowel syndrome, inhibit growth of the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers and boost effectiveness of drug treatment for this common disorder. "Yogurts containing live probiotics could become inexpensive tools for the treatment" of ulcers, suggests Broekaert and Walker in Nutrition Today.
There seem to be significant benefits outside the gastrointestinal tract, too, including improved overall immunity, possible prevention of some types of cancer and even better skin. One study has found that probiotics significantly reduced eczema symptoms in children. Another has found that infants born to women with a family history of eczema were 50 percent less likely to develop the disorder in the first four years of life when their mothers took probiotics during the last month of pregnancy and the first few months of breast-feeding.
Despite their promise, however, probiotics may not be for everyone. People whose immune systems are compromised by cancer chemotherapy, HIV or medication to prevent organ transplant rejection could be at risk for rampant infections from probiotics. But in healthy people, "the use of probiotics is unlikely to cause bacterial infections," Broekaert and Walker conclude.
Here are some foods and tips to help boost your healthy bacteria:
.Add chicory to your coffee . This practice was popular during World War II, when coffee supplies were limited. Chicory is gobbled up by bifidobacteria and seems to foster growth of this healthful strain in the colon.
· Eat a cup of yogurt daily. It's a fermented food that contains various strains of probiotics, depending on the product. So mix and match brands to get the most impact. For example, Stoneyfield yogurt contains six strains of probiotics. Activia, introduced to the United States by Dannon earlier this year, provides a proprietary strain of bifidobacteria that company studies suggest improves regularity. Research also suggests that foods containing probiotics must be eaten daily to keep healthy bacteria thriving in the colon.
· Sip buttermilk, kefir or drinkable yogurt. They're all fermented foods that contain healthy bacteria. Read labels to choose the brands with the least fat.
· Top your salads with a little blue cheese . Not only does it add flavor and bone-preserving calcium, but it also delivers healthy bacteria. Other cheeses that provide probiotics include Roquefort, Stilton and Shropshire.
· Have some tofu . This fermented soybean product is a plant-based source of healthy bacteria.
· Expect to see more functional foods with healthy bacteria. At the University of Reading in England, Robert Rastall, head of food and bioprocessing sciences, has teamed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to see if agricultural waste such as citrus peels could be turned into probiotic food ingredients. Also emerging: synbiotics -- a mixture of healthy bacteria and the food needed to keep them vibrant as they move through the acid-filled stomach and the bile-salt-filled small intestine before reaching the colon.
· Stick to food sources of healthy bacteria. Rastall and his colleagues tested probiotic dietary supplements from around the world. They found that some products had sterile bacteria that could not colonize the intestines. Others "didn't contain the bacteria they were supposed to, and one or two brands had bacteria that were harmful," Rastall says. ·
It all comes down to healthy bacteria.
Trillions of these microscopic organisms -- more than the number of cells elsewhere in the body as a whole -- populate the gastrointestinal tract, especially the colon. There they serve as a key line of defense against harmful bacteria, viruses and toxins that attempt to invade the body through the intestines.
"It is becoming more and more apparent that an appropriate microbial balance in the intestine is crucial for human health," note the University of Munich's Ilse J. Broekaert and Harvard University's W. Allan Walker in a review article published recently in Nutrition Today.
As the team reports, changes in diet -- for example, decreased consumption of fermented foods such as blue cheese and buttermilk -- have altered the natural balance in the intestines for many people. Increased use of antibiotics has also taken a toll on healthy bacteria.
That shift comes just as scientists better understand the value of these beneficial organisms, which have tongue-twisting names but are known collectively as probiotics. Among the leading strains are bifidobacteria and lactobacillus.
Studies show that when probiotics are given to children with diarrhea, they can shorten the illness' duration by a day. They also boost immune response to polio and rotavirus vaccinations and cut by up to 40 percent the diarrhea linked with antibiotic use.
There's also evidence that they can help reduce the bloating and flatulence of irritable bowel syndrome, inhibit growth of the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers and boost effectiveness of drug treatment for this common disorder. "Yogurts containing live probiotics could become inexpensive tools for the treatment" of ulcers, suggests Broekaert and Walker in Nutrition Today.
There seem to be significant benefits outside the gastrointestinal tract, too, including improved overall immunity, possible prevention of some types of cancer and even better skin. One study has found that probiotics significantly reduced eczema symptoms in children. Another has found that infants born to women with a family history of eczema were 50 percent less likely to develop the disorder in the first four years of life when their mothers took probiotics during the last month of pregnancy and the first few months of breast-feeding.
Despite their promise, however, probiotics may not be for everyone. People whose immune systems are compromised by cancer chemotherapy, HIV or medication to prevent organ transplant rejection could be at risk for rampant infections from probiotics. But in healthy people, "the use of probiotics is unlikely to cause bacterial infections," Broekaert and Walker conclude.
Here are some foods and tips to help boost your healthy bacteria:
.Add chicory to your coffee . This practice was popular during World War II, when coffee supplies were limited. Chicory is gobbled up by bifidobacteria and seems to foster growth of this healthful strain in the colon.
· Eat a cup of yogurt daily. It's a fermented food that contains various strains of probiotics, depending on the product. So mix and match brands to get the most impact. For example, Stoneyfield yogurt contains six strains of probiotics. Activia, introduced to the United States by Dannon earlier this year, provides a proprietary strain of bifidobacteria that company studies suggest improves regularity. Research also suggests that foods containing probiotics must be eaten daily to keep healthy bacteria thriving in the colon.
· Sip buttermilk, kefir or drinkable yogurt. They're all fermented foods that contain healthy bacteria. Read labels to choose the brands with the least fat.
· Top your salads with a little blue cheese . Not only does it add flavor and bone-preserving calcium, but it also delivers healthy bacteria. Other cheeses that provide probiotics include Roquefort, Stilton and Shropshire.
· Have some tofu . This fermented soybean product is a plant-based source of healthy bacteria.
· Expect to see more functional foods with healthy bacteria. At the University of Reading in England, Robert Rastall, head of food and bioprocessing sciences, has teamed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to see if agricultural waste such as citrus peels could be turned into probiotic food ingredients. Also emerging: synbiotics -- a mixture of healthy bacteria and the food needed to keep them vibrant as they move through the acid-filled stomach and the bile-salt-filled small intestine before reaching the colon.
· Stick to food sources of healthy bacteria. Rastall and his colleagues tested probiotic dietary supplements from around the world. They found that some products had sterile bacteria that could not colonize the intestines. Others "didn't contain the bacteria they were supposed to, and one or two brands had bacteria that were harmful," Rastall says. ·
Friday, March 10, 2006
Factors That Can Affect An Eczema Diagnosis
The largest human organ isn't the liver, the kidneys or the lungs; it's the skin. Our skin is our front line protection against the outside world. The skin guards our internal organs against sunburn, dirt, bacteria, and other dangers.
There are hundreds of different skin conditions. Dermatitis, melanoma and other types of skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis are just a few of the many types of skin problems. Skin problems may be caused by food allergies, sunburn, hormones, pregnancy, genetics or a host of other causes. They are rarely life threatening. Even skin cancers (including melanoma) often respond well to treatment if detected early enough.
Skin problems cause many people emotional pain and suffering. Some skin conditions are severe enough that patients can suffer depression. In many cases, healing the emotional scars related to a skin condition can take even longer than treating the physical problem.
The cause of skin conditions range from sunburn and drug reactions to genetics and pregnancy. Many of the causes can be avoided with a little prevention, while others are more random in occurrence. Below are the most common causes of skin conditions. Any of these conditions can occur alone or in a combination of two or more which can sometimes make the diagnosis difficult.
Skin Infections - Skin infections have a viral, bacterial or fungal basis. Rashes caused by athlete's foot, impetigo, and chicken pox all fall into this category. Bacterial and fungal skin infections are usually successfully treated with antibiotics and other medications. Viral skin infections must be combated by the body's own immune system, although the symptoms associated with the infection can be treated. Skin conditions caused by infections may appear as rashes or other types of lesions such as pustules.
Sun Exposure, Sunburn and Heat Rash - Sunlight contains harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage the skin. Sunburn increases your chance of developing a skin condition, as does tanning and lengthy unprotected exposure to the sun. Skin cancer is the best known condition caused by sunburn and tanning. Premature aging of the skin also occurs with prolonged exposure to the sun.
Certain drug reactions increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, thereby increasing the chance of sunburn or heat rash. A skin condition called hyperpigmentation, where areas of skin become darker than the surrounding area, can be caused by unprotected exposure to sunlight. As hyperpigmentation may also be caused by drug reactions; excessive sun exposure while taking certain medications is ill advised.
In hot, humid weather, prickly heat rash can develop. Staying cool and dry, wearing light, cool clothing and drying thoroughly after bathing are the best defenses against the irritating prickly heat of the heat rash pustules.
Pregnancy - Certain skin conditions occur more often during pregnancy. Almost 90% of pregnant women have temporary hyperpigmentation called Melasoma, or the "mask of pregnancy" where naturally darker areas of pigmentation (such as freckles, scars, moles, and nipples) appear darker than usual. The condition slowly disappears after childbirth.
Natural Irritants and Allergies - Many temporary skin problems are caused by natural sources. Insect bites inflame and irritate the skin. Poison ivy and other irritating plants cause skin rashes, pustules and itching. Parasites such as lice and mites can cause extreme itching and discomfort.
A food allergy can cause skin rashes, hives and even facial swelling. While the symptoms of a food allergy are often dramatic, tracking down the food that causes the allergic reaction can sometimes take time. If you suspect you have a food allergy, consult your doctor: allergy testing may be in order.
Diaper rash is caused by exposure to urine and feces, allergies to disposable diapers, soaps and detergents, or by diapers that are worn too tightly. While most cases of diaper rash are mild and resolve in a day or two, more severe cases form painful pustules that cover the baby's bottom, and may even result in a yeast infection. All cases of diaper rash should be monitored for potential secondary infection by bacteria or yeast.
Drug Reactions - Adverse drug reactions can cause rashes, hives, and swelling. As mentioned above, some medications increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Notify your doctor of any skin problem that develops after you start a new medication.
Genetics - People whose parents suffer from skin-affecting allergies may themselves be at increased risk of developing allergies. Acne has a hereditary pattern, as do some other common skin conditions. In the field of new drug development, a skin rash is considered to be a relatively "minor" side effect. Even medicines that successfully treat problems for most people frequently list the side effect of causing or worsening skin problems for an unfortunate few. After all, who's to say whether their product caused a new rash, or was just ineffective in treating an existing one? Supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and amino acids. The FDA requires that they include the words, "dietary supplement" on the label. By law, supplement manufacturers may not make health claims linked to a specific disease, in most cases. But many supplements do mention specific diseases (including eczema) in their ads, which is a legal gray area. Some supplements probably are effective, but don't yet have formal scientific studies to demonstrate this. Others may be a waste of your money or may worsen your condition.
There are hundreds of different skin conditions. Dermatitis, melanoma and other types of skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis are just a few of the many types of skin problems. Skin problems may be caused by food allergies, sunburn, hormones, pregnancy, genetics or a host of other causes. They are rarely life threatening. Even skin cancers (including melanoma) often respond well to treatment if detected early enough.
Skin problems cause many people emotional pain and suffering. Some skin conditions are severe enough that patients can suffer depression. In many cases, healing the emotional scars related to a skin condition can take even longer than treating the physical problem.
The cause of skin conditions range from sunburn and drug reactions to genetics and pregnancy. Many of the causes can be avoided with a little prevention, while others are more random in occurrence. Below are the most common causes of skin conditions. Any of these conditions can occur alone or in a combination of two or more which can sometimes make the diagnosis difficult.
Skin Infections - Skin infections have a viral, bacterial or fungal basis. Rashes caused by athlete's foot, impetigo, and chicken pox all fall into this category. Bacterial and fungal skin infections are usually successfully treated with antibiotics and other medications. Viral skin infections must be combated by the body's own immune system, although the symptoms associated with the infection can be treated. Skin conditions caused by infections may appear as rashes or other types of lesions such as pustules.
Sun Exposure, Sunburn and Heat Rash - Sunlight contains harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage the skin. Sunburn increases your chance of developing a skin condition, as does tanning and lengthy unprotected exposure to the sun. Skin cancer is the best known condition caused by sunburn and tanning. Premature aging of the skin also occurs with prolonged exposure to the sun.
Certain drug reactions increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, thereby increasing the chance of sunburn or heat rash. A skin condition called hyperpigmentation, where areas of skin become darker than the surrounding area, can be caused by unprotected exposure to sunlight. As hyperpigmentation may also be caused by drug reactions; excessive sun exposure while taking certain medications is ill advised.
In hot, humid weather, prickly heat rash can develop. Staying cool and dry, wearing light, cool clothing and drying thoroughly after bathing are the best defenses against the irritating prickly heat of the heat rash pustules.
Pregnancy - Certain skin conditions occur more often during pregnancy. Almost 90% of pregnant women have temporary hyperpigmentation called Melasoma, or the "mask of pregnancy" where naturally darker areas of pigmentation (such as freckles, scars, moles, and nipples) appear darker than usual. The condition slowly disappears after childbirth.
Natural Irritants and Allergies - Many temporary skin problems are caused by natural sources. Insect bites inflame and irritate the skin. Poison ivy and other irritating plants cause skin rashes, pustules and itching. Parasites such as lice and mites can cause extreme itching and discomfort.
A food allergy can cause skin rashes, hives and even facial swelling. While the symptoms of a food allergy are often dramatic, tracking down the food that causes the allergic reaction can sometimes take time. If you suspect you have a food allergy, consult your doctor: allergy testing may be in order.
Diaper rash is caused by exposure to urine and feces, allergies to disposable diapers, soaps and detergents, or by diapers that are worn too tightly. While most cases of diaper rash are mild and resolve in a day or two, more severe cases form painful pustules that cover the baby's bottom, and may even result in a yeast infection. All cases of diaper rash should be monitored for potential secondary infection by bacteria or yeast.
Drug Reactions - Adverse drug reactions can cause rashes, hives, and swelling. As mentioned above, some medications increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Notify your doctor of any skin problem that develops after you start a new medication.
Genetics - People whose parents suffer from skin-affecting allergies may themselves be at increased risk of developing allergies. Acne has a hereditary pattern, as do some other common skin conditions. In the field of new drug development, a skin rash is considered to be a relatively "minor" side effect. Even medicines that successfully treat problems for most people frequently list the side effect of causing or worsening skin problems for an unfortunate few. After all, who's to say whether their product caused a new rash, or was just ineffective in treating an existing one? Supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and amino acids. The FDA requires that they include the words, "dietary supplement" on the label. By law, supplement manufacturers may not make health claims linked to a specific disease, in most cases. But many supplements do mention specific diseases (including eczema) in their ads, which is a legal gray area. Some supplements probably are effective, but don't yet have formal scientific studies to demonstrate this. Others may be a waste of your money or may worsen your condition.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
New Eczema Treatment In Clinical Trials
Anacor Pharmaceuticals has presented positive data from phase I clinical and preclinical studies of AN0128, the company's novel topical compound currently in phase II clinical trials for atopic dermatitis.
These studies demonstrated that AN0128 was well tolerated at the site of application and indicated that further study was warranted.
"While atopic dermatitis is fundamentally a disease of the immune system, one of the primary triggers for the disease is the presence of Staph aureus on the skin," said Dr Karl Beutner, chief medical officer at Anacor. "Therefore, physicians often treat atopic dermatitis with a combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. AN0128 holds the promise of treating both components of the disease with a single compound."
Anacor scientists and collaborators presented six posters detailing the preclinical and clinical studies of AN0128 at the American Academy of Dermatology's annual meeting.
Anacor is currently enrolling patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study of AN0128 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. The study will evaluate 100 patients at multiple US centers.
These studies demonstrated that AN0128 was well tolerated at the site of application and indicated that further study was warranted.
"While atopic dermatitis is fundamentally a disease of the immune system, one of the primary triggers for the disease is the presence of Staph aureus on the skin," said Dr Karl Beutner, chief medical officer at Anacor. "Therefore, physicians often treat atopic dermatitis with a combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. AN0128 holds the promise of treating both components of the disease with a single compound."
Anacor scientists and collaborators presented six posters detailing the preclinical and clinical studies of AN0128 at the American Academy of Dermatology's annual meeting.
Anacor is currently enrolling patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study of AN0128 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. The study will evaluate 100 patients at multiple US centers.
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