Drug offers hope for eczema sufferers

By REBECCA WALSH

Auckland researchers are testing a new drug which may offer better hope for children suffering moderate to severe eczema.

The number of eczema cases in New Zealand is estimated to have doubled in the past 25 years and up to 15 per cent of the population is affected.

Principal investigator Innes Asher, professor of paediatrics at the University of Auckland, said eczema could be a seriously debilitating condition which affected not only the sufferers but their family.

In severe cases children had to spend 1 1/2 to 3 hours a day on treatment, having special baths and applying different ointments and bandages.

Sometimes parents gave up their jobs or turned down work because of the level of care required.

Professor Asher said NZ's hygiene levels were thought to have contributed to the increase in cases.

"The general way we live in Western countries, various practices in the home and society, tend to reduce the amount of non-harmful bugs and bacteria we are in contact with," she said. "That means that particular arm of the immune pathway has no particular action to do so it becomes stimulated in the other arm, which is the allergy pathway."

Other factors such as synthetic clothing were believed to aggravate eczema, she said.

Professor Asher said the study would test the effectiveness of a new drug called AVAC developed by the Auckland-based biotechnology company Genesis Research and Development Corporation.

It involved three injections, two weeks apart. Already 60 children aged 5 to 16 were involved in the trial and the medication appeared to be well tolerated. Another 60 children were needed.

Professor Asher said eczema had long been under-recognised and little research had been done into it.

By studying the effects of the medication on the immune system researchers might be able to discover more about its causes.

"There's a lot of hidden suffering with eczema.

"For your skin to feel constantly rough, sore and itchy is not a pleasant thing day in and day out. It has a big effect on your quality of life."

Eczema

* The condition can range from slight skin irritation on elbows, backs of the knees and eyelids to redness, scaling, rawness and infection.

* One factor contributing to increased eczema is improved daily hygiene, meaning immune systems are not being stimulated by non-harmful bacteria.

* This results in allergic reactions becoming more active.

* To find out more about the trial contact the study co-ordinators on (09) 276- 0044, extn 2948.