Skin ailments treatment stops eczema inflammatory episodes

Chronic inflammatory skin disease: new therapy for severe atopic dermatitis

In people with severe atopic dermatitis, the quality of life is severely limited. The chronic inflammatory skin disease is accompanied by acute attacks of inflammation that lead to extremely dry, itchy, red and inflamed skin. A newly developed antibody, which is injected by patients in the stomach or thigh, now gives hope for improvement.

Many children and adolescents affected

Neurodermatitis (atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) "one of the most common diseases in childhood and adolescence". The disease is usually associated with severe itching, dry, flaky and reddened skin. "The itching and the visible rashes eczema can greatly affect the psyche and the quality of life of those affected," write the experts. Although the disease can not be cured causally, but a new therapy can stop the inflammatory episodes.

Severe atopic dermatitis severely limits the quality of life of those affected. Now there is hope for patients: A newly developed antibody can stop inflammatory thrusts. (Image: miamariam / fotolia.com)

Sickness often causes a lot of suffering

In Germany, about 3.5 to 5 million people suffer from atopic dermatitis, the University Hospital Freiburg reported in a statement.

"In adults, the course is often particularly difficult and causes a high level of suffering," explains. Sabine Müller.

The senior physician at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology at the University Hospital of Freiburg is head of the Clinical Allergology Division as well as consultation hours for urticaria and atopic dermatitis for adults.

Natural help with atopic dermatitis

In some cases, natural remedies can help with atopic dermatitis. Radon heat therapy also relieves the symptoms of many patients.

Since certain foods can increase the effects of the skin disease, the diet should be individually tailored.

Many neurodermatitis sufferers experience alleviation of their symptoms by avoiding alcohol and white sugar. The consumption of dairy products should also be restricted.

Strong side effects

In addition, help with mild to moderate symptoms, a personalized skin care and antipruritic and anti-inflammatory ointments, writes the Freiburg University Hospital.

In adults with severe eczema, cortisone or drugs that suppress the immune system almost completely, so-called immunosuppressants, have been used so far.

But these two therapies are not suitable for long-term therapy due to the often strong side effects and do not work in about every fifth patient.

Good effect, few side effects

"After many years of waiting, we have recently been able to offer these particularly severely affected patients a so-called antibody therapy that specifically intervenes in the inflammatory cascade of atopic dermatitis," Dr. miller.

Not only the severity of the eczema and its expansion go back, the active ingredient also relieves the tormenting itching. "About every third patient is symptom-free or almost symptom-free after three months," the senior physician sums up the results.

The Dupilumab antibody is injected regularly into the thigh or abdomen every two weeks, comparable to injecting insulin.

"Our patients can do this at home after having been instructed," explains Dr. med. miller.

Quality of life improves greatly

"Another positive aspect is that as symptoms improve, existing anxiety or depression also decreases. This also increases the quality of life for our patients, "the dermatologist describes her observations.

With a neurodermatitis thrust, the body releases more and more of the inflammatory substance interleukin-4. The newly developed monoclonal antibody Dupilumab captures the inflammatory substance and neutralizes it.

So he specifically attenuates the excessive inflammatory reactions or even prevents them altogether. "The effect of the drug is very good, with low side effects," says Dr. miller.

Admission for children is expected

"We hope that the antibody therapy will be approved for children in a few years. After all, twice as many children as adults suffer from severe atopic dermatitis, "adds Professor Dr. med. Christoph Schempp.

At the Clinic for Dermatology and Venereology of the University Medical Center Freiburg, the physician is in charge of Pediatric Dermatology, where children with atopic dermatitis are receiving medical treatment.

"For many, the disease happily disappears again until puberty," says the dermatologist.

Professor Schempp supervises together with Dr. med. Müller the profile group "inflammatory skin diseases" at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology.

The two doctors are convinced that new and very effective drugs for atopic dermatitis will follow in the coming years. (Ad)