Itching is Debilitating

As anyone with eczema knows, the chronic itch can be debilitating. A new study as reported by ABC concluded that chronic itching can be upsetting to one's life as chronic pain. Interstingly, some study participants reported that they would give up 13% of their life span to live itch free. And they found that being married helps patients deal with chronic itching better, presumably because they have more of a support system.

Eczmea and Mercury Exposure?

New recent study published in Environmental Research found a positive association between mercury exposure (as indicated by blood concentrations) and lifetime incidence of atopic dermatitis. Mercury can enter the body through contaminated fish.

Some fish have higher levels of mercury than others. The EPA has a guideline on their website here.




Image: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2217

Eczema and Children

A new study of EU parents with children suffering from eczema demonstrates that it can have far reaching impacts. For children with moderate to severe eczema, the researchers found that the children missed out sometimes on sport or play activities, and that it can hurt their self-esteem and cause feelings of frustration and of "being different."

One parent was quoted in a sys-con.com article as saying:
"Eczema is far more than dry skin or a bit of an itch. Eczema can demand an all consuming lifestyle and coping techniques which need to be embraced by not only the sufferer, but their family as well. Only when people fully understand the far reaching impact of this relentlessly itchy, intolerable skin condition can we hope for better treatment and acceptance."

Contagious Itch

A new study from itch-expert Dr. Gil Yosipovitch and colleagues at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has found that itch can be contagious like yawning. Individuals with eczema appear to be particularly susceptible. Patients with atopic dermatitis had a higher itch intensity and scratched more after watching someone else scratch than those without it. They also appeared to scratch over a wide area of the body in response to seeing someone else itch, not just in the same localized place. The researchers note that this is further evidence of the powerful role of the brain - both in respect to itch and eczema. Eczema patients know how powerful mental response to itching can be...but that doesn't necessarily make it easier to cope! I guess the only other take-home message from this for eczema patients is to look the other way if you see someone start to scratch!