BMJ  2005;330:522 (5 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.38391.604826.7C (published 24 February 2005)

Commentary

Itching for a solution

¹ Skin Care Campaign, Highgate Hill, London N19 5NA plapsley@eczema.org

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Ashcroft et al¹ illustrate a tension that exists between scientists and patients over the use of topical agents to treat atopic dermatitis, with doctors caught in the middle.

It must be difficult for those without eczema to understand how frustrating and distressing it can be. Having developed atopic eczema in early childhood, I have been living with it for over 60 years. As a boy, the insides of my arms and the backs of my legs itched ferociously and incessantly. My face was dry, flaking, and sore. The area between my upper lip and nose was dry, cracked, and crusted, as was the skin around my ears. I scratched endlessly, and my appearance embarrassed me dreadfully, which suited those who taunted me about it.

In the early days, the only treatment prescribed for me was hydrocortisone cream, which helped but provided no solution over time. Emollients were never mentioned. Slowly, . . . [Full text of this article]

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Itching for a solution

Peter Lapsley
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