Blood clue to eczema itch

[Posted: Wed 29/08/2007]

Scientists believe they have found two blood chemicals which are related to eczema.

The chemicals, one labelled ‘substance P’ and the other called BNDF for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, were identified by a team at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

They designed an ‘itchometer’ for children to wear on their wrists in bed, to monitor how much they scratched and how this affected their bodies.

The two blood chemicals increased when the children were scratching.

The scientists say they can now examine how the chemicals are connected to the condition, which could in turn lead to an effective treatment.

Eczema can be induced by allergies, or be atopic, which is basically the genetic form that can be treated but not cured completely.

Itchy eczema affects one in 10 babies across the globe. The figure falls for adults, except in Ireland, where one in ten people have eczema.

Steroid creams are used to soothe the rash and itching, but these are not for long-term use and can thin the skin. The causes of eczema and the mechanism of the itch are not fully understood.

The Hong Kong study was reported in the British Journal of Dermatology.

See our Eczema Clinic at...

http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/eczema/index.html