Vicki Iovine Authors 'Girlfriends' Guide' To Eczema
By
John Morgan, Spotlight Health
With medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D.
When it comes to advice for her 'girlfriends,' best-selling author Vicki Iovine's
millions of readers know she's telling it like it is. Now Iovine has put her
pen to paper to help children and parents dealing with the frustrations and
discomfort of eczema.
"Eczema can be extremely difficult for the whole family to deal with," Iovine
says. "All four of my children suffered from pediatric eczema at some time in
their early childhood."
Eczema is a non-specific term for atopic dermatitis, a hypersensitivity condition
characterized by red, dry, scaling patches on the skin that are very itchy.
"I signed on to help create awareness because everything I write is about permission
and empowerment - permission to not be perfect and empowerment to be bigger
than you think you already are," says Iovine, who was compensated by Novartis
Pharmaceuticals as a spokesperson and to write an informational pamphlet about
eczema. "It wasn't about the money. I know about eczema as a mom, and I wanted
to be able to help other parents and their children."
Eczema is the most common disease seen by pediatric dermatologists. According
to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is estimated that about 7-17% of
the general population have atopic dermatitis at some point in their lives.
The vast majority of children outgrow the disease by school age.
Eczema typically arises during the first year of life, usually appearing on
the cheeks and/or the outer surfaces of the extremities. During the toddler
years the disease typically affects the folds -- behind the elbows and knees.
In older children, it can occur anywhere on the body.
"Their worst outbreaks were on their face - on their cheeks," Iovine says.
"And everybody would say, "Oh my goodness look what rosy cheeks she has!" And
I'd sort of nod and smile. Or say that's the Irish in them. But then I noticed
that my kids were uncomfortable - it itched or was sensitive and it hurt them."
Eczema basics
"We call atopic dermatitis the itch that rashes," explains Dr. Anthony J. Mancini,
associate professor of pediatrics and dermatology, Northwestern University,
Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. "The patches are very itchy. Kids get
engulfed in what we call the "itch-scratch" cycle. They itch a lot, even skin
that appears normal to us is itchy to them. Scratching induces more itch, and
it becomes a vicious cycle."
Atopic dermatitis is considered a genetic disease that has multiple environmental
triggers. In most persons, there is a family history of other atopic diseases,
including hay fever, food allergy, and asthma.
"My oldest son was asthmatic but grew out of it," says Iovine. "And my youngest
daughter still has asthmatic tendencies."
Like allergy and asthma, eczema has many potential triggers. As such, parents
are often advised not get hung up on trying to identify one or two triggers.
"We have parents who rip up their carpeting, get rid of the family dog, even
move to a new house because this disease can have such an impact on their kids,"
Mancini reports. "Unfortunately, finding the one trigger that will magically
cure the disease is a futile exercise."
That doesn't mean parents should not eliminate triggers they notice are contributing
to their child's eczema flare-ups. Some known triggers include:
- Temperature changes
- Low humidity
- Synthetic fibers
- Dust mites
Food allergy is often one of the most notorious suspects as an eczema trigger,
but according to experts is only a factor in about 20-25% of kids with the worst
cases.
"We do know that if there is an allergic trigger, the big ones are dairy, eggs,
soy, peanuts, wheat, and fish," says Dr. Amy Paller, Head of the Division of
Dermatology at Children's Memorial Hospital of Chicago.
As frustrating as identifying triggers is for parents and physicians, the discomfort
of eczema is even worse for children. Perhaps the biggest issue for those living
with eczema is its negative impact on quality of life.
"These kids don't sleep because they're often itching," Paller says. "What
sleep they do get can often be of less quality. They can't easily play with
their friends. All of that affects psychosocial development which is extremely
important."
"It's a very sensitive thing for kids and for parents," Iovine says. "I've
heard parents say to their kids, "Come over here don't play with that child
they're sick today."
Iovine says educating people about eczema is important because a lot of parents,
teachers and even school nurses don't know much about it.
"There are so many myths about eczema that if believed can make kids more miserable,"
Iovine says. "I hope people read my guide and talk to a dermatologist because
there are new eczema treatments that really work - and that don't use steroids."
Relief efforts
Treatment is a multi-dimensional approach.
Hydration of the skin - One myth is not bathing children with eczema.
In fact, bathing is actually helpful if done correctly. Water should be warm
not hot; bathe 10 minutes after which the child is blotted dry and moisturizer
applied.
Antihistamines - "It's vital to treat the itch," Mancini advises. "If
you treat the inflammation and you treat the infection but you do nothing about
the itch, then you'll be right back where you started from." Treating the itch
improves the quality of life, particularly in terms of getting a good restful
night's sleep.
Antibiotics -- The eczema itself is not contagious unless open areas
harbor a secondary infection. "If infection is present in a small localized
area, it is typically treated with a topical antibiotic," Mancini explains.
"If the area is more widespread, then oral antibiotics are recommended."
Anti-inflammatories - The standard traditional treatment has been topical
steroids. They are safe and effective when used correctly. But there can be
some concerns with long-term use, improper use, or use on the face. The most
common side effect is thinning of the skin.
Non-steroidals -- A new class of FDA-approved medications called non-steroidal
topical immunomodulators (TIMs). In general, they tend to work less rapidly
than topical steroids but have other advantages.
"They can be used anywhere," Mancini says. "They are especially nice for use
on the face and around the eyes where we have long been concerned about the
risk of steroid occular toxicity." Many dermatologists use them in combination
with more traditional steroid therapy - for instance a TIMs on the face and
a steroid on the body.
"There are many kids who seem to be resistant to topical corticosteroids,"
Paller adds. "We've been able to successful treat them with this new group of
agents."
Iovine believes that education and awareness are critical in helping children
deal with this noisome condition.
"The most important thing is while you can't prevent it, you can get a handle
on eczema," says Iovine, who just published The Girlfriends' Guide to Baby
Gear and The Girlfriends' Guide to Parties and Play-dates. "You can
minimize your child's discomfort and minimize the embarrassment. It's empowering
to be able to know what to do about your eczema."
American Academy of Dermatology
The
Girlfriends' Guide to Pediatric Eczema
Spotlight Health
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Created: 2/15/2003  - John Morgan & Stephen A. Shoop, M.D.