Eczema

Eczema is frequently called atopic dermatitis because it was noted to occur in individuals with allergic symptoms, e.g., allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma. The term atopic simply means allergic. Even though eczema was considered to be an allergic problem, allergy seems to be less likely as our understanding of the disease increases. Physicians know that eczema is a very complex disease and contains allergic as well as non-allergic elements in different individuals. As a result, the treatment of every individual may vary.

While the causes of eczema continue to be investigated, certain things are known about the disease. The skin is much more easily irritated than normal skin. Dryness of the skin is a primary component and results in significant itching. Eczema is known as “the itch that rashes”. Itching is made worse by irritants on the skin. Winter months are particularly bothersome because of the dry winter air. Flares in the summer months can occur after exercise because sweat is a significant irritant. Citrus or some vegetables, e.g., tomato, can act as a primary irritant when they touch the skin. Stress in some individuals can affect the skin. While emotional factors may play a role in flaring eczema, they are not considered a primary source of causing the onset of eczema, if it is not already present.

Eczema occurs in about 3% of the population. In about 80% of those individuals, the onset occurs in the first year of life. One-half are free of disease by age 2 years, about one-fourth by the end of adolescence, and the remaining one-fourth will continue to have eczema into adult life. Some individuals do not have the onset of symptoms until adolescence or adulthood.

Treatment is multifaceted and includes lifestyle modification as well as various types of medication. A portion of treatment will be listed in the accompanying tables. Adequate attention to clothing, diet manipulation, and attention to the emotional well-being of the affected patient are very important. It is preferable for a patient with eczema to wear clothing which will not irritate the skin; soft cotton material would be best. The room temperature should be kept moderate with controlled humidity (between 35-50%). Overheating and perspiration should be avoided.

Some investigators believe there is a genetic tendency for eczema with approximately 50% of eczema patients ultimately developing allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. This is compared to about 20% without the presence of eczema. While allergy skin testing and allergy injection treatment are usually helpful in cases of allergic rhinitis and/or asthma, it is generally agreed that this is often not the case with eczema. In some individuals, starting allergy shots for allergic rhinitis and/or asthma may actually result in significant flaring of the eczema.

Prevention

Trim fingernails short

Cotton gloves at night if needed to decrease scratching

Clothing should be double rinsed after washing to remove all residual detergent (irritants)

Avoid excessive room temperatures

Wear light, non-occlusive clothing (e.g., cotton instead of polyester)

Keep the bedroom moderate (cool) and avoid excessive bed clothing

Allergen contact or ingestion avoidance (e.g., foods, pets, dust mite) can reduce stimulation of the skin

Treatment

Bathing for moisturization, e.g., soaking in tepid water for 30-45 minutes at least once daily and if possible 2-3 times.

Within 2 minutes after getting out of the tub, a lubricating cream or ointment should be applied to help hold the moisture in the skin. Examples include Aquaphor, Curel, Moisturel, Eucerin, Keri, Lubriderm, Acid Mantle, Unibase, Vanicream, petrolatum, and chilled Noxzema,etc. Newer medications include Triceram/Certopic, Impruv, Mimyx, Nourica Repair, Cerave, Atopiclair, and Hylira. Some of the newer medications are by prescription only. None of the medications in the above list contain steroids.

In general, lotions should be avoided since they contain alcohol which may sting and provide limited moisture.

If marked irritation or weeping areas are present, wet wraps with a drying solution (e.g., Burrow’s solution, one tablet mixed in one quart of water is available by prescription) will avoid the stinging or burning sensation that can occur with bathing.

Addition of oil or similar substances to the bath water generally has little effect on increasing moisturization.

Pat dry with a soft towel; do not “rub” dry since this will remove natural, protective oils from the skin.

Showers do not add moisture to the skin and actually remove the protective oils from the skin resulting in increased dryness.

Topical steroids are the mainstay of therapy for more severe eczema. Ointments or creams are generally used.

Nonsteroidal medications that help the immune system in the skin may be necessary either in addition to or in place of topical steroids if the topical steroids are not adequate for relief. Examples of the nonsteroidal medications are Elidel and Protopic.

Antibiotics, topical and/or oral, may be needed if the lesions become infected. An alternative to antibiotics is the use of Clorox baths. One-quarter to one-half cup of Clorox in a full bath provides antibacterial activity that will treat all known bacterial infections. No resistant bacteria to Clorox are known.

Oklahoma City Ranks Ninth for Most Challenging Cities for Asthma

AAFA’s 2021 Asthma Capitals Report Lists Most Challenging Cities to Live in the U.S. with Asthma; Oklahoma City takes ninth place for 2021

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently rolled out its 2021 Asthma Capitals report. The report coincided with World Asthma Day, part of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. AAFA’s Asthma Capitals report analyzes data from the 100 largest cities in the United States to determine its ranking. Allentown, Pennsylvania takes the top spot as the most challenging place to live for asthma in the 2021 report. Oklahoma City was ranked ninth and Tulsa was 24^th.

The ranking is based on three criteria: asthma prevalence, emergency department visits for asthma, and deaths due to asthma. The report also highlights risk factors including poverty, air pollution, access to specialists, pollen counts, medicine use, smoking policies, and the rate of uninsured residents in an area. AAFA previously identified existing “Asthma Belts” which continue to have a grip on the eastern half of the nation, however two western cities – Tucson, Arizona and Fresno, California, are also listed in the top 20 cities for this year’s report. The top 20 Asthma Capitals for 2021 are: 1. Allentown, Pennsylvania 2. Baltimore, Maryland 3. Richmond, Virginia 4. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 5. New Haven, Connecticut 6. Cleveland, Ohio 7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 8. Dayton, Ohio 9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 10. Tucson, Arizona 11. Worcester, Massachusetts 12. Springfield, Massachusetts 13. Columbus, Ohio 14. Birmingham, Alabama 15. Detroit, Michigan 16. Louisville, Kentucky 17. Hartford, Connecticut 18. Boston, Massachusetts 19. Fresno, California 20. Greensboro, North Carolina. To see the complete 100-city list, visit asthmacapitals.com.

“AAFA produces the Asthma Capitals report and similar research to help improve the lives of the estimated 25 million Americans living with asthma. It’s important to highlight areas which deserve our urgent attention and collective action. This includes the pressing need to develop more programs and policies that will effectively help us reduce stark disparities in asthma based on race, gender, income and where people live,” said Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of AAFA. “This report also supports the need for climate action. Air pollution, extreme weather patterns, and natural disasters fueled by climate change continue to have a worsening impact on Americans living in certain communities. This is not only a critical area of investigation, but signals exactly where work needs to be done for those with the greatest needs.”

The report also calls attention to the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in determining the rankings. This includes some changes in health outcomes and risk factors like pollen exposure, medicine use, and emergency room visits. In 2020, fewer people experienced pollen allergies due to COVID-19 restrictions, recommendations to stay indoors, and other preventative measures like mask wearing. As a result, use of long-term asthma medicines were also down along with fewer people heading to hospital emergency rooms for asthma.

“The pandemic, economic recession, climate crisis, and racial injustice all had a significant impact on the asthma community in 2020. Despite some varying factors, asthma remains a serious public health threat with an average of 10 people dying each day. At AAFA, we reiterate that’s 10 too many. Most of these tragedies are preventable,” said Melanie Carver, chief mission officer at AAFA. “Stakeholders, policy makers, health officials, communities and individuals around the nation can use this information to join us in our mission to save lives.”

“It’s been an especially challenging year for allergies so far with high pollen and mold spore counts along with high allergy alert days,” said Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic Board-certified allergist Dr. Laura Chong. “All of these can be triggers for increases in asthma attacks too. It is important to get an evaluation to figure out your triggers and the best strategy to help optimize control of your asthma.”

The 2021 Asthma Capitals report is an independent research project of AAFA made possible in part by support from the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) Foundation. For the latest AAFA news and resources go to aafa.org.

The post Oklahoma City Ranks Ninth for Most Challenging Cities for Asthma appeared first on Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

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