Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects 20% or more of children under the age of six.
The main tell-tale signs of the condition are an itchy red rash particularly on the face and the bends of the elbows and knees, as well as an increased risk of skin infection.
There is good news for children suffering from eczema though, as a biologic therapy for very young patients with a moderate to severe form of a common skin condition has been shown to be safe and effective in an international trial which involved University of Manchester clinical scientists working within the Clinical Trials Facility at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
The study of the drug, named Dupilumab, is the first large-scale randomised double-blind trial of a monoclonal antibody (a lab-made protein that binds to certain targets in the body) for any skin disease, in patients aged six months to six years.
The results highlighted that Dupilumab vastly improved the severity of eczema in children, reducing skin itching and pain within just two weeks.
Patients also saw their quality of sleep improve dramatically, which resulted in their parents also benefiting from an improved quality of life.
It is thought that the study – which consisted of 162 patients – will be approved for British children in the near future, following its adoption in the United States in June this year.
Did you know; eczema is common in children that suffer from a variety of allergies, including food allergies.