Eczema cure is now one step closer to becoming a reality

Scientists are now one step closer to curing the common skin condition, eczema. The previous study conducted at the University of Dundee found that a protein in the skin called filaggrin, plays a vital role in the development of eczema. Scientists have now found that the protein is key in strengthening the skin’s natural protection.

In the United Kingdom, 15-30% of children and 2-10% of adults have atopic eczema - the most common form of eczema. The condition causes red, dry and itchy skin rashes that cause discomfort and pain. Currently, the condition can be treated with moisturising and steroid creams, but there is no permanent cure for the skin condition. As soon a person comes into contact with a particular irritant, eczema will once again present itself.

Researchers found that a decrease in the amount of filaggrin found in the skin, is enough to decrease the skin's natural resistance to irritants.

“We have shown for the first time that loss of the filaggrin protein alone is sufficient to alter key proteins and pathways involved in triggering eczema,” said Nick Reynolds, a dermatology professor at Newcastle University.

“This research reinforces the importance of filaggrin deficiency leading to problems with the barrier function in the skin and predisposing someone to eczema.”Scientists can now look into filaggrin even further in the hope that a treatment can be developed that stops the cause of eczema, rather than the current method of treating symptoms. While a cure is unlikely to appear in the immediate future, this is still a significant step forward for those people suffering from the skin condition.

Photo Credit: James Heilman, MD/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0