Fabric to Soothe Eczema

Making contact with almost any fabric can be an agonizing experience for people who suffer from itchy, drysensitive skin caused by eczema, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis, conditions which affect over 30 million people of all ages nationwide. Now, a breakthrough fabric called DermaSmart(TM) created by Milliken & Companypromises to reduce itching and the appearance of dryness, peeling and scaling commonly associated with these skin conditions.

Traditionally, people with skin conditions are treated with either oral or topical drugs, or a combination of both. DermaSmart offers an additional method for symptom relief. "DermaSmart has demonstrated in lab tests and instudies with patients to be a better choice of fabrics than the traditionally-recommended 100% cotton, both for comfort and for relief of symptoms," said Lyn Murajda, Brand Manager for the Apparel & Specialty FabricsDivision of Milliken.
DermaSmart is a silky, soft, breathable fabric that significantly reduces the friction or drag of the fabric against the skin.
* DermaSmart has been proven to help reduce itching and the appearance of dryness, scaling and peeling.
* DermaSmart fabric absorbs excess perspiration and disperses it through the fabric so it dries quickly, keeping the wearer comfortable.
* DermaSmart fabric contains silver, which is a safe, natural antimicrobial that prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

Additionally, DermaSmart clothing is designed with superior comfort attributes. Each shirt and pant has smooth, flat seams and a "tagless" sizelabel, and the pants have covered waistbands, features which keep the clothing construction from irritating the skin.

Dermatologist Tested
"Two of the most vexing problems confronting patients with eczema, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, aside from their disease, are how to dress and howto get a good night's sleep," explains Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., adermatologist based in High Point, North Carolina. "And clothing plays a large contributing role in this. Wearing a smoother, less irritating fabric directly against the patient's skin helps to reduce the irritation and itching, and this allows the oral and topical treatments to work more efficiently."
In 2003, Dr. Draelos completed a study with patients who had eczema, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, to compare 100% combed cotton t-shirts toDermaSmart. She concluded that, "The study demonstrated statistically significant improvement in skin condition and decreased itching" in the patients who wore the DermaSmart shirts. The symptoms it improved specifically were itching, and the appearance of dryness, scaling and peeling. A clinical study she completed in early 2006 further verified these results.

DermaSmart garments are now available through Hill Dermaceuticals, Inc.,in infant, children and adult sizes in several silhouettes, including long sleeved shirts and lounge pants. The garments are recommended for use as pajamas, and for base layers to wear under everyday clothing or exercise gear.To order call toll free 1-888-445-5468, or go online to http://www.DermaSmart.com.

New Variety of Steroid Treatment For Dermatitis

SkinMedica, Inc., announced today the positive outcome of two Phase III clinical trials evaluating Desonate (desonide) HydroGel 0.05%, a low-potency topical steroid formulated in a proprietary alcohol-free, aqueous gel delivery vehicle to treat atopic dermatitis. SkinMedica, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing, acquiring and commercializing products that improve the appearance of skin and treat dermatologic conditions and diseases.
The Desonate Phase III studies were conducted as a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison involving pediatric subjects with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. These clinical trials included 582 patients from age 3 months to 18 years, and were designed to demonstrate superiority of Desonate HydroGel over vehicle (placebo) without desonide. Patients received either Desonate HydroGel or placebo twice daily for four weeks.
The results of these two studies demonstrated a consistently robust and highly statistically significant treatment effect for Desonate compared to placebo in both primary and secondary end-points. These included Investigator Global Severity Assessment (IGSA) along with the alleviation of signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis, including erythema, induration/papulation, and scaling. The proportion of patients achieving treatment success using the IGSA primary end-point was 44% for Desonate HydroGel and 14% for the vehicle group in the first trial. In the second trial, treatment success rates were 28% for Desonate HydroGel and 6% for the vehicle group. The p value for each of these comparisons was p less than 0.001.
The data from these trials also demonstrated that Desonate HydroGel was well-tolerated, with the most frequently observed side effects being mild in nature and largely limited to application site reactions. There were no serious adverse events reported. Overall, the safety analysis revealed no unexpected findings for a topical agent of this type.
"We are very enthusiastic about the robust results of these Desonate HydroGel pivotal trials," said Ron Trancik, PhD, Vice President of Research and Development for SkinMedica. "We are particularly excited about this new, low-potency steroid formulation with desonide, in a novel patented aqueous vehicle. HydroGel will offer dermatologists and their patients, particularly younger children, a product with enhanced properties which we believe will lead to increased patient compliance and satisfaction."
"The collaboration between SkinMedica and Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences is an excellent example of how two companies can work together in planning and executing an important development project," said Rex Bright, Chief Executive Officer of SkinMedica. "We will be seeking approval to market Desonate HydroGel in the United States."
Desonide is a leading topical steroid prescribed by dermatologists within the U.S. low-potency steroid market which generates 7.7 million annual prescriptions. If approved, Desonate HydroGel would provide SkinMedica with its first steroid product in the $1.1 billion topical steroid market. SkinMedica believes that the HydroGel delivery system has important advantages over more conventional drug delivery vehicles. Conventional steroid formulations including gels and foams typically contain alcohol that may be irritating to patients with atopic dermatitis. HydroGel, an aqueous-based and alcohol-free system, has been developed by Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences to compete against the conventional formulations as a functionally and cosmetically acceptable delivery system. Patients in the clinical trial noted that the HydroGel formulation helped to relieve dryness, which is often a problem with atopic dermatitis. The patented HydroGel drug-delivery technology was licensed by SkinMedica from Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences in June 2003 for use with desonide. The development of Desonate HydroGel is a collaborative effort between Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences and SkinMedica. In April 2005, the companies expanded their collaboration in which SkinMedica licensed the rights to apply the HydroGel technology to certain other prescription steroids worldwide.

Key To Eczema In Winter

DRY and sore skin in winter is often blamed on the long months of cold, blustery weather. But new research shows eczema and the increase in dry skin symptoms is linked instead to hormones.
Dermatologist Dr Michael Cork found increased glucocorticoid levels in winter (often twice as much as in summer) have been shown to damage the skin barrier, leading to eczema and other painful skin conditions.
His findings will have a big impact in Scotland where dry skin is a common problem. A survey of Scots by skin specialists found:
44 per cent have continuous dry skin.
One in 10 suffers from eczema.
61 per cent of dry skin sufferers developed their condition during adulthood.
75 per cent say their skin gets worse over the winter months.
To minimise discomfort, Dr Cork recommends adult sufferers:
Use an intensive emollient therapy that helps to replace parts of the skin barrier.
Ensure all carpets, fabrics and curtains are kept dust free.
Avoid synthetic materials and wool blends.
Use artificial light to combat depression and lower levels of glucocorticoid hormones.

Get The Facts On Dermatitis

Dermatitis is the most common inflammatory disease of the skin. It affects 15 million adults and children - 6% of all Americans. It nearly always begins within the first 5 years of life and while 50% of cases will be outgrown, the remainder will persist throughout a lifetime.The exact cause of the condition is not known, but genetic factors are thought to play a role in the development of this disease.Persons with dermatitis often have allergies or asthma, as well. Various materials such as wool can cause a worsening of symptoms.Dermatitis appears as redness, scaling and/or small blisters (vesicles) on the head, face, neck, or the insides of the elbows, wrists, and knees. These characteristic features are often masked by secondary lesions such as crusting, excoriations, infection, or irritation from topical treatments.There is no cure for dermatitis. Current therapy is directed at suppressing the inflammation and reducing triggering factors with topical treatments and ultraviolet light therapy.

Another Option In Dermatitis Care

Dermatitis-Ltd III. is a great option for individuals whose skin has been left sensitive and delicate by over-the-counter or prescription medications which often are messy, smelly, stain clothing, or thin the skin such as steroids. Skin appears more conditioned, even, elastic, and calm with Dermatitis-Ltd III. The ingredients of Dermatitis-Ltd are: zinc oxide, sodium chloride, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, iron oxide, copper oxide, and sulfur. Zinc oxide is well known for its ability to protect and heal the skin. This product is currently only available at www.dermatitis-ltd.com.

Types of Eczema

The more common types of eczema include:
Nummular eczema - or discoid eczema causes disk-shaped patches to appear on the lower leg; Seborrheic dermatitis - this eczema will cause dry flaky patches, frequently on the face or scalp; Dyshidrotic eczema - dermatitis of the hands and/or foot;
Atopic eczema - often occurs with allergies or hayfever indicating an allergen cause;
Contact dermatitis - caused by a substance which may cause an allergic or irritant contact reaction;
Baby eczema - red rash on the cheeks, chin, torso; the cause is usually environmental; Neurodermatitis - the cause of this condition is repeated scratching.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an anti-fungal which is study-proven to eliminate dandruff, warts and toenail fungus.
In one study, 64% of people with athlete's foot were cured in four weeks.

To use:
Rub tea tree oil or cream or gel directly on the skin.