Eczema Breakthroughs

In our very first “Big Ideas” competition, we asked those who live with eczema for big ideas that could lead to better treatments or a cure. Learn about three brilliant ideas from the winners to help kids with eczema in the future. Our guests are Armando de la Libertad, Nic Novac and Angela Tiru, parents and patients who used their experiences and insights to come up with innovative research ideas. (If you like our podcast consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.)Have a Big Idea of your own? Enter this year’s Big Ideas competition here.More information about Big Ideas 2022

Could allergy drops (or shots) be the answer to reducing eczema flares? Recent research suggests that immunotherapy can improve eczema symptoms, and it is safe for kids, easy to use and inexpensive. We discuss how the treatment works and it’s potential to improve lives, especially for kids who can’t access expensive treatment programs. Our guests are Dr. Derek Chu, professor of medicine at McMaster University in Canada, and Dr. Sarah Langer, a pediatric immunologist from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. (P.S. If you like our podcast consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation).Research in this podcast:Allergen immunotherapy for atopic dermatitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of benefits and harmsEfficacy of House Dust Mite Sublingual Immunotherapy in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Imagine if doctors could use a non-invasive test on newborns to predict their risk of developing eczema?   Now it might be possible.  What’s more, new research suggests there is something you can do for high risk babies. Join us as we learn about an innovative test for eczema and what you might do with this information.   Our guest speakers are Dr. Anne-Sofie Halling who is completing a PhD on biomarkers of atopic dermatitis at Copenhagen University, Denmark; Prof. Alan Irvine a professor of dermatology at Trinity College, Dublin Ireland; and, Prof. Jonathan Hourihane a professor of pediatrics and child health at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. (If you like our podcast consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.)Research discussed in this podcast:Skin biomarkers predict development of atopic dermatitis in infancyEarly initiation of short-term emollient use for the prevention of atopic dermatitis in high-risk infants—The STOP-AD randomised controlled trialSkin care interventions in infants for preventing eczema and food allergyPreventing Atopic Dermatitis and ALLergies in Children-the PreventADALL study.Daily emollient during infancy for prevention of eczema: the BEEP randomised controlled trial

Until recently, the mental health impacts of eczema were hidden and under recognized. However, there's been a spate of new research that shows an association between eczema and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. And those impacts extend to parents and caregivers as well.   Join the discussion with Dr. Mohammad Jafferany, Professor of Psychodermatology Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Central Michigan University; Prof. Andrew Thompson, Professor of Clinical Psychology Cardiff University in the UK; and Dr. Katrina Abuabara, Associate Professor at University of California, San Francisco. A special thank you to Incyte, a member of GPER's Corporate Council, for support of our programs, including the Eczema Breakthroughs Podcast. (P.S. If you like our podcast, please consider making a tax deductible donation to GPER!)Research discussed in this episode:Predictors and age-dependent pattern of psychological problems in childhood atopic dermatitisAssociation of Atopic Dermatitis and Mental Health Outcomes Across Childhood: A Longitudinal Cohort Study Effects of family constellation seminars on itch in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis: A patient preference controlled trialMindful parenting intervention for parents of children with skin conditions: a single group experimental cases seriesGPER's Free Caregiver Support ProgramSusan Bögels Mindful Parenting Workshops (UK)

Our skin protects us from our environment, and global warming is changing that environment. In turn, new research suggests this changing environment can alter our skin. In this episode we explore the impact climate change has on children with eczema and allergies.  Our guests are: Dr. Mary Prunicki, Director of Air Pollution and Health Research at the Sean N Parker Centre for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University; Dr. Marc Rothenberg, Director of Allergy and Immunology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; Dr. April Schachtel, chief of dermatology for the VA Puget Sound healthcare system in Washington State; and Dr. Markus Boos, pediatric dermatologist at Seattle Children's Hospital. If you are interested in this topic and would like to learn more, attend our virtual fall research symposium. Register here: www.parentsforeczemaresearch.com/symposium

Topical corticosteroids (TCS) use is controversial in our community and generates a lot of concern among caregivers. Yet, it is the mainstay of eczema treatment for children and nearly every child who sees a doctor for eczema is likely using topical steroids. TCS do usually help with eczema symptoms, but it can be hard to wean off them and then there are side effects. In the first segment, we talk with dermatologist Dr. Steven Feldman from Wake Forest Baptist in North Carolina and two eczema parents who had very different experiences with topical corticosteroids. In the second segment, we discuss the very latest findings on steroid use with UK dermatology nurse Sandra Lawton who is a contributing author on the 2022 Cochrane Review, "What is the best way to use topical corticosteroids to treat people with eczema". (Please consider supporting our podcast, with a tax deductible donation) https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=3&name=E357477.Research related to this episode:What is the best way to use topical corticosteroids to treat people with eczema? https://www.cochrane.org/CD013356/SKIN_what-best-way-use-topical-corticosteroids-treat-people-eczemaCombined antibiotic, steroid and moisturizer for atopic dermatitis https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pde.14458Topical steroid withdrawal reactions: a review of the evidence https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/topical-steroid-withdrawal-reactions-a-review-of-the-evidence/topical-steroid-withdrawal-reactions-a-review-of-the-evidence?fbclid=IwAR0SERPj4RVykRAf9SRJ2BIRGUq1_NbiZ34hE_5BDxdzPrfmsrGDAcCN9VE

Eczema and food allergy are closely intertwined, particularly when it comes to questions of prevention. We know that eczema tends to be the first condition to emerge in the atopic march and there is growing evidence that controlling eczema may actually prevent some of these downstream conditions. Likewise, if we can learn how to prevent eczema so that it never manifested in the first place, we may be able to prevent all of the conditions in the atopic march: food allergies, asthma and allergic rhinitis. Find out more on this episode, hosted in partnership with the Food Allergy Fund 2022 Summit, with guests Dr. Peck Ong from Keck School of Medicine, Dr. Aikaterini Anagnostou from Baylor College of Medicine, and Dr. Jessica Hui from National Jewish Health as we delve into how to prevent atopic conditions, starting with eczema. P.S. If you like our podcast, consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation. 

Are certain types of moisturizers better than others for eczema? What is the best way to apply it? In this episode we ask our guest speakers, both researchers who have studied this topic, to weigh in: Dr. Tina Sindher, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics from the Allergy and Clinical Immunology group at Stanford University and Dr. Ian Myles head of the Epithelial Therapeutics Unit at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. P.S. If you like our podcast consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.Research covered in this episode:Optimizing emollient therapy for skin barrier repair in atopic dermatitisPilot study on trilipid cream versus paraffin-based emollientThe effects of common topical exposures on skin bacteria associated with eczemaFrequent moisturizer use in infancy and later development of food allergy

Globally, patients and caregivers are often left to figure out the daunting task of getting eczema under control by medical systems that provide limited direction. In a first-of-its kind collaboration between patient organizations from eight countries coordinated by Global Parents for Eczema Research, we reveal the results of a 3,200 response survey which show how eczema patients are faring and to what extent medical care and treatments are meeting their needs. Our guests are Rachael Manion from the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance, Andrew Proctor from the National Eczema Society in the United Kingdom and Cheryl Talent from the Eczema Association of Australasia.(If you like our podcast consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.)Research referred to in this podcast:Global Patient Initiative to Improve Eczema Care (https://www.improveeczemacare.com/)

In the last few months, a record FOUR new treatments have been approved for eczema in the United States, with other countries considering approval as well. At long last, kids with moderate-to-severe eczema will soon have new, effective options. What are these new treatments, their side effects and what do parents need to know about safety? Tune in as we discuss these emerging treatments with our expert guest speakers: Dr. Amy Paller, Professor of Pediatrics and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University, Chicago; and Dr. Aaron Drucker, Assistant Professor and Dermatologist at the University of Toronto, Canada. (P.S. If you like our podcast consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation).Research & resources relevant to this podcastNovel treatments for pediatric atopic dermatitis.New and Emerging Systemic Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis. Eczema Treatment Comparison Tool