A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BYMEDIAPLANET PERSONALHEALTHNEWS.CADr. Vipul Jain,
MB BS, FRCPC
Allergy & Clinical
Immunology
Adjunct
Clinical Professor,
McMaster University
Director, Allergy
Research CanadaA
topic dermatitis (AD) is not just skin deep. In
a survey conducted among those with moder-
ate to severe forms of this chronic disease by
the Eczema Society of Canada, 87 percent of
respondents said it negatively impacted their daily lives.
Eighty percent reported compromised sleep quality and
about one-third missed work and important life events.
It’s estimated that up to 17 percent of Canadians have
AD — the most common form of eczema, marked by red,
itchy, dry skin. Despite its prevalence across the country,
it is not well understood and many patients struggle to
fi nd eff ective treatments. Fortunately, new therapies are
now available.
To learn more about moderate to severe AD and
how it aff ects the lives of young and old patients alike,
Mediaplanet spoke to D r. Vipu l Jain, an im munolog ist and
allergist with practices across Ontario and Melani-Ivy
Samson, a 27-year-old Waterloo, ON student who has been
living with eczema since she was three-months-old.Mediaplanet What are some common misconceptions
associated with atopic dermatitis?
Dr. Vipul JainThere’s still a belief that it’s contagious,
but it’s not something you can catch. It’s caused by an
interaction of many internal and external factors, likecompromised skin function, genetics, and the environ-
ment. Some think food allergies are responsible, but a
causal relationship has not been established. Tihis is a
complex topic which is still highly debated and more re-
search is needed in this area.
Melani-Ivy Samson Some people think it’s just dry
skin and suggest moisturizers. They off er advice with-
out knowing the facts, which is frustrating.MP How does it impact patients?
VJ They often suff er work disturbances and a rise in de-
pression. As well, 60 percent experience decreased sex-
ual desire.
MS During fl are-ups, I was in pain that was often ex-
cruciating — even applying ice packs to my eyes would
not alleviate it. I had to bandage my hands and couldn’t
go to school. People sometimes stare and it makes me
feel self-conscious.MP What’s new in terms of available treatment options?
VJ For resistant eczema or moderate to severe presenta-
tion, we aren’t just treating eczema from the top down
anymore. The most exciting therapies are working from
the inside out, utilizing the immune system to heal the
skin. For instance, a new monoclonal antibody, admin-
istered through a subcutaneous injection every two
weeks, has been approved for moderate to severe ecze-
ma. It’s still very important, however, to continue mois-
turizing and taking care of the skin.MP How is this new approach changing lives?
VJ I had a patient who felt hopeless about her appear-
ance. I put her on a newer biologic therapy. While in
treatment, her husband touched her arm and she said
she experienced what a normal touch felt like for the
fi rst time in her life.
MSI tried everything from UV phototherapy to
increasingly strong steroid creams, but my condition
worsened. Last September, I started getting the new
injectable. It has been a complete gamechanger for me.
Within just two weeks, I stopped itching and my skin
was healing. When my mom saw me for the fi rst time
four months after I began treatment, she burst into
tears. She was amazed.Michele SponagleTh e Future of Eczema Treatment
Starts with Healing from the Inside
If you have atopic dermatitis, speak to your
allergist, immunologist, or dermatologist about
new therapies that may be right for you.Melani-Ivy Samson, a
27-year-old Waterloo, ON
student who has been
living with eczema since
she was three-months-old.