News - July
NES Study Day places still available! (Belfast) - 21/7/09
Calling all healthcare professionals! The National Eczema Society’s study days have proved immensely popular, particularly over the past year, in venues across the UK. Some 250 Doctors, nurses and pharmacists attend the study days annually and the workshops include demonstrations on wet wraps, bandaging and emollient application.
There are still places available for the Belfast event on 11th September. The day costs just £10 and goes from 9.30am to 4pm at Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre, Lisburn, Co Antrim.
In conjunction with Dr Suzanna Hoey and Sister Heather Kirker and the dermatology team from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, it promises to be an informative event.
For a full programme and booking form, click HERE or you can call 01925 766877.
Treatments News
Welcome to our new ‘Treatment news’ section, which will be updated online when new treatments become available or there is an update on an existing product or range.
NICE recommends alitretinoin (Toctino) for severe chronic hand eczema
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended alitretinoin (Toctino) as a treatment option for adults with severe, chronic hand eczema that has not responded to potent topical cortiocosteroids, and it is now available on NHS prescription from your doctor.
The NES was one of the consultees to NICE’s assessment of alitretinoin, which is the first treatment developed specifically for chronic hand eczema. It is a once-daily tablet containing alitretinoin (9-cis retinoic acid), a naturally occurring retinoid structurally related to vitamin A.
This decision will be good news for the 150,000 people in the UK who are thought to have chronic hand eczema – eczema of the hands that is severe and does not go away and does not respond to treatment or keeps coming back. Symptoms can vary from itchy, scaly patches of skin that flake constantly to red, cracked and painful hands with blisters that may weep.
More information about hand eczema and alitretinoin can be found in the article on hand eczema in the September 2008 edition of Exchange, a copy of which can also be found at www.eczema.org/Hand_Eczema_Article.pdf
For a press release on Toctino, click HERE
References
1. Diepgen TL et al. Contact Dermatitis 2007; 57:203-210
DermaSilk grows up
Additional DermaSilk Therapeutic Clothing items have been added to the Drug Tariff and will therefore be available on prescription from 1 August 2009.
Whilst many children grow out of their eczema by the time they go to school, 26% of all children will still have it by the time they are 16 years old and many of these will continue with eczema throughout their adult life.
It is for this reason that DermaSilk Vests and Leggings for Men and Women in sizes Small to XXL, plus Teen and Adult Face Masks, have been added to the listings.
A Roll Neck Shirt is also now available from ages 3-4 up to Adult XXL. This will help counter some of the problems associated with eczema around the neck area.
In addition, unisex Children’s Briefs and a longer (50-cm) Tubular Sleeve have been added to the range.
For more information, visit www.dermasilk.co.uk or call (01234) 834614 for a leaflet.
New Doublebase emollient wash gel from Dermal Laboratories
Doublebase Wash is an alternative to liquid or bar soap. Unlike most soaps, which are detergent based and tend to remove our skin’s natural oils, it contains a non-foaming soap substitute that gently and effectively cleanses the skin.
To retain moisture in the skin, Doublebase Wash contains a humectant that also attracts water from the atmosphere, and has a high oil content that softens the skin and protects against dryness. It is also fragrance free, can be used anywhere on the body and is suitable for all ages, including babies.
Available in a convenient and easy to use 200-g pump dispenser, Doublebase Wash is available at your local pharmacy.
Protopic ointment (tacrolimus monohydrate) – licence extended for new twice-weekly use to help prevent flares
The Licence for Protopic has been extended and from July Protopic is now approved for the maintenance treatment of moderate to severe atopic eczema to prevent flares and prolong flare-free intervals.
Already licensed to treat flares of moderate and severe eczema in adults and children over 2 years who don’t respond to or tolerate other therapies such as topical steroids, the extended licence for Protopic applies to that class and to those whose eczema responds to Protopic.
The new licence is for twice-weekly application on a prophylactic basis to skin previously affected by eczema. This new way of using the treatment is designed to prevent further exacerbations of eczema and prolong flare-free periods.
For a press release on Protopic, click HERE
For more information, you can also call our Helpline on 0800 089 1122.
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