A new study suggests that upper airway infections (UAI) may exacerbate atopic dermatitis (AD) in children, and surgical treatment for those infections may improve the severity of the skin disease, according to the results of a St. Louis University School of Medicine study authored by Aayesha M. Khan, M.D.; Thomas J. Donovan, M.D.; and Barbara Mossman, R.N., of the department of otolaryngology, and Elaine C. Siegfried, M.D., of the department of dermatology.
The study also suggests the possibility that chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) activates the immune system, and that treatment of CRS leads to concurrent improvement in AD.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sinusitis and Eczema
Interesting study linking chronic sinusitis with atopic dermatitis in children.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My story
I've been dealing with the worst outbreak of eczema I have had in 15 years. The last time it was this bad, I was an exchange student living in Switzerland. At that time, I had to deal with dermatologists in a foreign language, which was stressful in and of itself. We tried everything, including a misting machine (similar to putting our face above a cool mist humidifier) and light therapy (I got a great tan out of it). Eventually it went away, and for years afterward, I was able to manage the comparatively minor outbreaks of eczema. My problem spot is on my face, above and below my lips.
I remember doing my first round of allergy tests while in Switzerland and the number one thing that came up for me was an allery to benzylchomium chloride, a preservative used in eye drops and many other things.
A second, though less severe outbreak happened about 6 years ago and so I started another round of allergy tests. This time, the #1 culprit was tree pollens. All kinds of trees, particularly California trees like cypress and juniper. I decided against the shots since my outbreak wasn't so bad.
This time, my outbreak is even more puzzling. Somehow, I developed acne on TOP of the eczema. I went to a dermatologist who had no idea what that was, but told me she could give me steroids for the eczema, but that would exacerbate the acne. Or she could give me acne medicine, but that would exacerbate the eczema. Great! Although I have the prescriptions for these medecines in my purse, I decided to hold off on it and try olive oil instead. So far so good. What I've learned is when the eczema is hardened, I don't feel any itch at all. All the hardened skin is actually protecting what is underneath from any allergens, so even though it looks HORRIBLE, I feel ok. I was putting tons and tons of Eucerin cream, but i actually think that might have been what caused the acne. Plus, I starated to feel the itch when I put the cream on. Olive oil hasn't done that - no itch. I used it on my hands and non-eczema parts of my face too and they are now so soft.
I remember doing my first round of allergy tests while in Switzerland and the number one thing that came up for me was an allery to benzylchomium chloride, a preservative used in eye drops and many other things.
A second, though less severe outbreak happened about 6 years ago and so I started another round of allergy tests. This time, the #1 culprit was tree pollens. All kinds of trees, particularly California trees like cypress and juniper. I decided against the shots since my outbreak wasn't so bad.
This time, my outbreak is even more puzzling. Somehow, I developed acne on TOP of the eczema. I went to a dermatologist who had no idea what that was, but told me she could give me steroids for the eczema, but that would exacerbate the acne. Or she could give me acne medicine, but that would exacerbate the eczema. Great! Although I have the prescriptions for these medecines in my purse, I decided to hold off on it and try olive oil instead. So far so good. What I've learned is when the eczema is hardened, I don't feel any itch at all. All the hardened skin is actually protecting what is underneath from any allergens, so even though it looks HORRIBLE, I feel ok. I was putting tons and tons of Eucerin cream, but i actually think that might have been what caused the acne. Plus, I starated to feel the itch when I put the cream on. Olive oil hasn't done that - no itch. I used it on my hands and non-eczema parts of my face too and they are now so soft.
Monday, January 26, 2009
I have a mutant gene
In 2006, Scottish researchers released the results of a study in Nature Genetics that found that two-thirds of eczema sufferers and a quarter of asthma cases involve mutations to a gene that helps form the skin's outer protective layer. They found that two different mutations to a gene called fillagrin were much more common in the eczema groups they studied than in the general population
Fillagrin helps to form the skin's outer protective layer, which is made up of dead cells that are collapsed together into a continuous protein sheath that keeps water in and invaders such as bacteria out. Mutations to the fillagrin gene keep it from producing fillagrin protein needed to protect the skin.
This gives me hope! This means that someday, all the super smart people in the world who are working on this might find a way to give us the fillagrin proteins that our mutant genes lack.
Fillagrin helps to form the skin's outer protective layer, which is made up of dead cells that are collapsed together into a continuous protein sheath that keeps water in and invaders such as bacteria out. Mutations to the fillagrin gene keep it from producing fillagrin protein needed to protect the skin.
This gives me hope! This means that someday, all the super smart people in the world who are working on this might find a way to give us the fillagrin proteins that our mutant genes lack.
Bacteria and Bleach
There are some great articles in the NY Times on eczema. Here is a link from one article along with some of the things I noted that I'd like to investigate further.
From article in NY Times, July 2008:
Author: Ingfei Chen
From article in NY Times, July 2008:
Author: Ingfei Chen
- Chronic eczema is a complex disorder that involves an overwrought immune system and, often, a defective gene that leaves the skin barrier leaky, dry and easily irritated.
- For one patient, Staphylococcus aureus, a lab test revealed — had accelerated a full-body eczema outbreak, could bacteria still be fueling her rashes?
- Dermatologist prescribes high-potency topical corticosteroid, antibiotic pills, and a bacteria-killing ointment called mupirocin and a Clorox bath.
- 90% if eczema sufferes carry Staph aureus on their skin
- Gentle bleach bath (half cup bleach in full bath tub) can kill skin microbes - tests shows promise according to Dr. Amy Paller of Northwestern University
- Take more baths, not less - to clean off bacteria and hydrate the skin
Let's Begin
This is my personal collection of articles, links and stories of hope on eczema. There is so much scattered information out there, that I wanted a place to bring it all together so that I could make sense of it all. Hopefully, you can too.
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