A New View on the Roots of Itchy Skin
* The prevailing theory that chronic eczema is primarily an allergic disease has been challenged in recent years.
* Genetic studies suggest that a defective, leaky skin barrier is the initial cause in up to half of eczema cases seen by doctors.
* Topical drugs that reduce inflammation are still the mainstay of treating rashes, but new genetic findings highlight the importance of keeping the skin barrier intact by frequent use of moisturizers.
For millions of people who suffer from chronic eczema, life can become a hellish existence in which patches of dry skin become red and inflamed and constantly cry out: scratch me!
“It’s like having poison oak or poison ivy 24 hours a day, seven days a week, forever,” said Vicki Kalabokes, chief executive of the nonprofit National Eczema Association in San Rafael, Calif.
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http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-eczema-ess.html?ex=1209960000&en=fee12bc05eda3685&ei=5070&emc=eta2
