Eczema Breakthroughs

Is everyday skin fungus playing a bigger role in eczema than we ever realized? What if the culprit behind cradle cap, dupilumab facial redness and eczema flare-ups in puberty is hiding in plain sight, on the surface of our skin? Professor of Fungal Immunology from University of Zurich. Dr. Salome LeibundGut-Landmann, explains the secret world of skin fungi, how it affects eczema and a bold new project to convert fungi into skin helpers.Literature MentionedExeter secures £3.3 million grant to investigate treatment and prevention of eczemaA Case of Cutaneous Fungal Infection Following the Administration of DupilumabRetrospective Analysis of the Relationship Between Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis and Atopic Dermatitis Malassezia-associated skin diseases in the pediatric population  Dupilumab facial redness: Clinical characteristics and proposed treatment in a cohortAdvances on the role of mycobiome in atopic dermatitis

The devil is in the details, and in this episode of the Eczema Breakthroughs Podcast, we dive deep into smarter skin care for kids with eczema. Dr. Helen Brough (Director: Children’s Allergy Doctors, London), one of the leading experts in eczema treatment, shares step-by-step, evidence-based guidance on moisturizing, bathing, and proactive steroid use. Joining her is Dr. Amber Atwater (Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology, George Washington University), who unpacks the tricky overlap between allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis, and why choosing low-allergen products is essential.ReferencesEmollients to Prevent Pediatric Eczema: A Randomized Clinical TrialEczema Care OnlineConsumer Preferences, Product Characteristics, and Potentially Allergenic Ingredients in Best-selling MoisturizersEmollients to Prevent Pediatric Eczema: A Randomized Clinical TrialSkin Safe 100 

Two new studies from the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) conference reveal how Staph bacteria use clever strategies to disarm the skin's barrier maintenance function and work with other bacteria to amplify inflammation. Join us for an interview with Dr. Nathan Archer and Dr. Laine Feller from John Hopkins School of Medicine who explain how Staph aureus bacteria uses its superantigen superpower to hinder lipid production ... and more new research from this year's SID meeting.

New treatment alert!  The FDA recently approved Tapinarof, applied as a cream, for kids 2 years and up.  We ask Dr. Leon Kircik from Icahn School of Medicine, NY, who led the clinical trials about the safety, efficacy and side effects of Tapinarof.  And because we are parents too, we ask: How quickly does it work? Can you start/stop it as needed? How easy will it be to access? And more. If you like our podcast, please consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation. Research discussedTapinarof Improved Outcomes and Sleep for Patients and Families in Two Phase 3 Atopic Dermatitis Trials in Adults and ChildrenMaximal usage trial of tapinarof cream 1% once daily in pediatric patients down to 2 years of age with extensive atopic dermatitisTapinarof cream 1% once daily: Significant efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and children down to 2 years of age in the pivotal phase 3 ADORING trialsTapinarof cream in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults a systematic review and meta-analysisEfficacy and safety of Ruxolitinib, Crisaborole, and Tapinarof for mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis: a Bayesian network analysis of RCTs

What to look out for in eczema moisturizers, why eczema babies have rosy red cheeks and can allergies transfer to baby from breast milk? Join Korey Capozza, Dr. Jessica Hui-Beckman (National Jewish Health) and Dr. Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo (University of Rochester) to find the answers. If you like our podcast, please consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation. Research discussedConsumer Preferences, Product Characteristics, and Potentially Allergenic Ingredients in Best-selling MoisturizersEarly Life Cheek Skin Barrier Changes are Associated with Atopic Dermatitis DevelopmentPrevention of IgE-Mediated Food Allergy: Emerging Strategies Through Maternal and Neonatal Interventions

Could injectable drugs called "biologics" stop eczema by teaching a child's developing immune system to be less reactive? Dr. Amy Paller from Northwestern University Chicago and Dr. Elaine Siegfried from Saint Louis University in Missouri discuss stopping or tapering biologics and what happens to the immune system when we are on them. If you like our podcast, please consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation. Research discussedClinical remission and therapy-free remission in pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumabFactors Associated with Remission of Eczema in ChildrenPersistence of Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis Longitudinal atopic dermatitis control and persistence vary with timing of disease onset in children

How much influence does the gut microbiome have on developing eczema or allergies? Turns out, quite a lot. Join this special excerpt from our research symposium to learn how antibiotics in pregnancy and early childhood increases eczema risk and how adding "biotics" might prevent it in the first place. Our speakers are Dr. David Margolis (University of Pennsylvania) and Dr. Nikole Kimes (Siolta Therapeutics). If you like our podcast, please consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses biological extracts to treat disease. Eczema sufferers may take a herbal bath, apply a specially formulated cream or drink herbal tea as part of TCM treatment. Dr. Xiu Min Li from New York Medical College explains TCM and we ask: Is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) safe for newborns? Can you use TCM and topical steroids simultaneously? Could TCM prevent the allergic march? Research mentionedInvestigation of Berberine's Potential in Attenuating Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Inflammatory ResponsesInvestigation of In vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Effects of BerberineEffect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in moderate-to-severe eczema in clinic and animal model: beyond corticosteroidsTraditional Chinese medicine for food allergy and eczemaEffect of traditional Chinese medicine on skin lesions and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe eczemaEfficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for atopic dermatitis: Evidence from eight high-quality randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Are you feeling lost and don’t know where to find trusted advice on managing eczema? Introducing ECZHALE, your one-stop-shop for reliable information and resources on eczema care. Join Dr. Jennifer LeBovidge, psychologist and Assistant Professor at the Atopic Dermatitis Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, and GPER’s Christine Pham Cutaran as they discuss the challenges of being an eczema caregiver and where you can turn for help. Literature mentionedMultidisciplinary interventions in the management of atopic dermatitisAtopic dermatitis: therapeutic care delivery: therapeutic education, shared decision-making, and access to careImproving patient education for atopic dermatitisResourcesECZHALE wellness hubSupport for Eczema CaregiversTreatment Navigator

Is getting rid of Staph aureus in the gut the key to improving eczema? And can we control it without antibiotics? Join us as we ask these questions and more of Dr. Michael Otto, Chief of the Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section at the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. (And if you like our podcast, consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation). Research mentionedProbiotic for pathogen-specific Staphylococcus aureus decolonisation in Thailand: a phase 2, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trialCommensal Staphylococcus epidermidis contributes to skin barrier homeostasis by generating protective ceramides The association between Staphylococcus aureus colonization on cheek skin at 2 months and subsequent atopic dermatitis in a prospective birth cohortSkin microbiota analysis-inspired development of novel anti-infectivesCombined antibiotic, steroid, and moisturizer for atopic dermatitis: A two‐year case series of patient‐reported outcomes

Korey Capozza travels to Spain for the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress where she speaks to researchers that are trying to explain the allergy epidemic and what we can do about it. Highlights: Dr. Magdalena Zemelka-Wiacek (Poland) explains microplastics cause inflammation. Tami Landau (Israel) uses “big data” to determine which children will develop eczema, and Dr Thomas Bieber (Germany) accesses the German Biobank to understand why some children go into remission.   Research MentionedMechanisms of gut epithelial barrier impairment caused by food emulsifiers polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80 Follow-up to adolescence after early peanut introduction for allergy prevention The potential impact of nano-and microplastics on human health: Understanding human health risksBiomarkers for phenotype-endotype relationship in atopic dermatitisDevelopment of a predictive model for pediatric atopic dermatitis

Could the diet and lifestyle of a mother during pregnancy influence whether her baby will develop eczema? Our podcast guests are studying the role that diet and the gut microbiome play in pregnancy. Join Dr. Carina Venter and Dr. Susan Lynch as we discuss what pregnant mothers can do to reduce the chances of baby developing eczema or allergies. (And if you like our podcast, consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation).Research mentionedDelayed gut microbiota development in high-risk for asthma infants is temporarily modifiable by Lactobacillus supplementationHeritable vaginal bacteria influence immune tolerance and relate to early-life markers of allergic sensitization in infancyDifferent Measures of Diet Diversity During Infancy and the Association with Childhood Food Allergy in a UK Birth Cohort Study  The Maternal Diet Index and Offspring Microbiota at 1 Month of Life: Insights from the Mediterranean Birth Cohort MAMI 

Frustrated by eczema care that ignores patient priorities? New guidelines from the medical societies for allergists and immunologists may help change that. These guidelines were informed by the views of eczema patients and caregivers and based in evidence (hallelujah!). We chat with the guideline co-authors Dr. Lynda Schneider, founder and director of the Atopic Dermatitis Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Derek Chu, director of  the challenge clinic for allergy diagnosis, research and treatment at McMaster University, about some of the new and surprising ideas they recommend. (And if you like our podcast, consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation). Read the transcript.Research mentionedAtopic dermatitis guidelines: 2023 Is Food-Triggered Atopic Dermatitis a Form of Systemic Contact Dermatitis?

Five GPER staff members attended the American Academy of Dermatology conference in February, the biggest gathering of dermatologists worldwide.  We bring you the newest treatments and latest research straight from the source.  Join our conversation with GPER staffers Korey Capozza, Kara Orevillo, Christine Cutaran and Michelle Tu about what stood out this year.  (And if you like our podcast, consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation).

Could we cure allergies by taking probiotics or transplanting the gut microbiome from a healthy person? What does all this mean for eczema/allergy prevention? To find out, join our conversation with Dr. Rima Rachid, allergist and immunologist at Harvard Children’s Hospital, and Meenal Lele, eczema mom and author of Baby and the Biome. We discuss the promising trials with fecal microbiota transplants for food allergic children as well as the best probiotic to take for eczema and when it’s important to take it. (And if you like our podcast, consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation). Literature featured in this podcastThe microbial origins of food allergyEvaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Oral Encapsulated Microbiota Transplantation Therapy in Peanut Allergic Patients Lactobacillus rhamnosus Used in the Perinatal Period for the Prevention of Atopic Dermatitis in InfantsThe Baby and the Biome book

The winners of the 2023 Big Ideas for Eczema contest share their novel ideas and how they came up with them.  Our citizen scientist winners are Elizabeth Shores, Hannah Mitchell and Armando de la Libertad.  Would you try these ideas?   (If you like our podcast consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.) If you have an idea of your own, find out more about the Big Ideas 2024 competition here. 

What are the top research discoveries of 2023 related to eczema? Tune in to learn about new, needle-free Epi-Pen alternatives, painless tests for detecting eczema before it appears, and insights about how to address anxiety and depression related to eczema. Guests include Albert Chong of University of Southern California, Dr. Ruchi Gupta of Northwestern University, Dr. Ian Myles of NIH, and Dr. Kiwako Yamamoto-Hanada of National Children's Hospital, Tokyo. P.S. If you like our podcast, consider making a donation to GPER!Research discussed in this podcastmRNAs in skin surface lipids unveiled atopic dermatitis at 1 monthPatients' and Caregivers' Preferences for Mental Health Care and Support in Atopic Dermatitis Innovations in the treatment of anaphylaxis: A review of recent data - ScienceDirectPharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of epinephrine sublingual film versus intra-muscular epinephrine - Journal of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyShotgun metagenomic sequencing on skin microbiome indicates dysbiosis exists prior to the onset of atopic dermatitis

Can moisturizers help prevent eczema? If so: when, what and how should they be applied? Can probiotics help? If so: who should take them - mother or baby? These questions and more are answered by Helen Brough, pediatric allergist and head of service at Evelina London Children's Hospital (UK). As part of our recent research symposium, she explains what research is going on in eczema management and prevention and what is still needed to make prevention a reality. She also has important tips for eczema care now. (If you like our podcast consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.)Research discussed in this episodeEarly 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 allergyProbiotic supplementation for prevention of atopic dermatitis in infants and children: a systematic review and meta-analysisEarly intervention and prevention of allergic diseasesEmollients in infancy to prevent atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta‐analysisEpicutaneous sensitization in the development of food allergy: what is the evidence and how can this be prevented?

New biological therapies like dupilumab target Type 2 inflammation, but new research shows they are also modifying the skin microbiome. In this episode we discuss what Type 2 inflammation is, why it matter in eczema, and how it modifies the microbiome. Our guest is Dr. Lisa Beck (Co-Director of the Center for Allergic Disease Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY) who has dedicated her 35 year career to understanding why some eczema patients are susceptible to skin infections and finding safe and effective eczema treatments.Research associated with this podcastType 2 Inflammation Contributes to Skin Barrier Dysfunction in Atopic DermatitisTralokinumab treatment improves the skin microbiota by increasing the microbial diversity in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitisRapid Reduction in Staphylococcus aureus in Atopic Dermatitis Subjects Following Dupilumab Treatment

Dupixent has transformed the lives of people with moderate to severe eczema, but will patients need to use it indefinitely? In this episode we explore tapering Dupixent (also known as dupilumab) with two researchers from University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands that have created a patient-led roadmap for successful tapering. They are: Pediatric Dermatologist Dr. Marlies de Graaf, Head of the National Expertise Center of Atopic Dermatitis in Children; and Dr. Celeste Boesjes, who is a PhD candidate and Medical Doctor.Research Discussed in this PodcastSuccessful tapering of dupilumab in atopic dermatitis patients with low disease activity: a large pragmatic daily practice study from the BioDay registryAssociation of serum dupilumab levels at 16 weeks with treatment response and adverse effects in patients with atopic dermatitis: a prospective clinical cohort study from the BioDay registryPatient‐centered dupilumab dosing regimen leads to successful dose reduction in persistently controlled atopic dermatitisDupilumab in daily practice for the treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis: 28‐week clinical and biomarker results from the BioDay registryDupilumab dose spacing after initial successful treatment or adverse events in adult patients with atopic dermatitis: a retrospective analysis