New Study Finds Two Chemicals Related to Eczema Itch

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition with various manifestations of its symptoms. The various types of eczema can look different, flare up for different reasons, and vary widely in severity. One common denominator for all eczema sufferers, however, is the agonizing itch.

A recent study of children suffering from eczema by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as published in the British Journal of Dermatology, found that two chemicals in the blood increased as the frequency of scratching by the study subjects increased. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor" (BDNF) and "substance P" are the two chemicals found in human blood that were shown to increase as the frequency of itching increased.

To measure the amount of scratching done by the children, the study facilitators equipped them with wrist monitors that measured wrist movement throughout the night. This movement was attributed to scratching the affected parts of their bodies.

The discovery of a link between the two chemicals in the blood and the frequency of itching is important for eczema sufferers for many reasons. The intense itch and the resultant persistent scratching are the most problematic symptoms of eczema for most sufferers.

Beyond the discomfort of the constant need to itch is the damage done to skin that is already compromised by the eczema rash, and may be further compromised due to treatments such as oral or topical steroids. The scratching leads to open sores that may weep or bleed, and are highly prone to infection. Eczema sufferers run a high risk of skin infections like staph which can be very serious and difficult to treat.

The scratching can reach a severity that leads to scarring of the skin, as well. Individuals who have repeated flare ups on the same areas of the body may have scars in those areas.

The study focused particularly on children and nighttime itching. Children often cause more damage to their skin through itching because they are less likely to understand the consequences of too much scratching. Also, nighttime itching in children is more difficult to control, as they are less likely than adults to wake up while scratching and stop before they cause open sores.

Nighttime itching interferes with children's sleep quality, as well as their families' sleep quality. The sleepiness that this may cause during the day can be disruptive and make it difficult for the child eczema sufferer to function well at school or during normal activities.

Eczema is a poorly understood skin disease, with few effective means of treatment, beyond oral and topical steroids. There is no cure for eczema, and even treatments to manage symptoms are difficult to determine from one case to the next. With the discovery of the two blood chemicals related to itching, scientists are one step closer to finding a way to manage one of the worst aspects of this condition.