Experts

NEA Scientific Advisory Committee

The National Eczema Association is a national, patient-oriented organization which is governed by a Board of Directors and guided by a Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of physicians and scientists who donate their time and expertise.

Eyelid Eczema?

Q: How can I treat eyelid eczema?

Dyshidrotic Eczema?

My daughter, age 3½, has recurring blistering on the bottom of her left foot. We have been to two dermatologists and they believe she has dyshidrotic eczema. She has nothing on her hands or her right foot, just the left foot. She was given a steroid cream called Cutivate that seems to help when the eczema flares up, but I did not get any information on possible prevention or things I can do to help.

Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Q: I have eczema all over my body, but I moved to a colder, dryer place and now I have dry, itchy, flaky skin on my scalp. I know it’s not dandruff. I tried using Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo, but it just made my skin even itchier. I thought about taking fish oil pills with Omega-3. What are your thoughts on that?

Coconut Oil?

Q: Have you come across the use of coconut oil for people with eczema, and do you have any positive thoughts on that?

Atopic Dermatitis was the Focus of a Conference at the 75th Anniversary of SID

This year’s meeting of the Society of Investigative Dermatology (SID), held in Raleigh, North Carolina, which marked the 75th anniversary of the society, included the first conference dedicated to atopic dermatitis. Drs. Lisa Beck, Professor of Dermatology at University of Rochester Medical Center, and Rebecca Minnillo Executive Director of the SID were instrumental in setting up this meeting.  The primary purpose was to begin to identify problems hindering progress in atopic dermatitis research and to establish a research network of like-minded investigators to begin to address these issues.

National Jewish Health Receives Grant to Provide Atopic Dermatitis Education to Denver Pediatric Clinics

National Jewish Health (NJH) has received an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to improve the care of pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis in a medically underserved population. The one-year $586,511 independent medical educational program grant from GSK will be used by NJH to train health care providers and team members from Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics (RMYC) to better diagnose and manage their atopic dermatitis patients, and ultimately improve patient care and quality of life in the Denver metropolitan area.

“Undiagnosed and untreated atopic dermatitis can have a crippling

Eczema Experts Share their Thoughts: Amy S. Paller, MD

The Chair of NEA's Scientific Advisory Committee, Amy S. Paller, MD, shares her thoughts on the following questions: What is the most significant challenge facing eczema patients? Why is NEA important?

New Medicines?

Q: What are some of the new medicines that can be used for eczema? I have been using MimyX and/or clobetasol propionate ointment when flare-ups happen. Is there anything else that would help? The clobetasol is thinning my skin. What would be as good to treat the areas?

Ambien (zolpidem) or Lunesta (eszpiclone) to sleep?

Q: I’m kind of curious why I’ve never had anyone here mention that they take Ambien (zolpidem) or Lunesta (eszpiclone) to sleep as opposed to an Atarax (hydroxyzine)?

A: The problem with some of these sleeping drugs is that they have their own side-effect issues. Particularly in children, the chronic use of Ambien, Lunesta, etc., is clearly not approved. When I do have kids with really significant eczema, I do call a sleep expert in. I like to document what’s happening at night, and I use some of these experts’ advice regarding how can we help the child get good sleep.

Prolonged Cellcept usage?

Q: Are there any long-term studies of the affects of prolonged CellCept usage?

CellCept and Protopic Together?

Q: What about CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) and Protopic—is it safe to use them together?

Bleach Alternative?

Q: I’ve had an adverse reaction to bleach. Is vinegar or chlorine a substitute?

Bleach Baths

Can you give me practical advice about bleach baths—how much bleach goes in the tub, do you rinse it off, etc.?

Eczema Herpeticum?

Q: What causes eczema herpeticum, how can flare-ups be prevented, and is there a vaccine?

Molluscum?

Q: What is the most effective way to treat molluscum and why does it take so long to clear up?

DNA

Q: Does DNA or genetics have anything to do with asthma and eczema in children? And why does it skip generations?

A: The simplest answer is that DNA has everything to do with what we’re talking about, and it doesn’t really skip generations. When we talk about allergic disease ranging from eczema to hay fever and allergies and asthma, there really is a genetic predisposition to what families will carry. The true risk is actually any history of atopic disease. We are seeing fewer generations of people who didn’t have histories of hay fever or allergies in the past develop these diseases.

What else should I do for 7-month old Baby?

Q: I have a 7-month-old baby girl with severe eczema. We have been doing bleach baths two to three times per week, daily and sometimes two-times-a-day baths followed by 2.5 percent hydrocortisone cream and Aquaphor. I hate using the hydrocortisone on her.