Eczema Research Resource Guide
Curiosity keeps the world moving forward, the thinkers thinking and the seekers seeking. You're probably not preparing to move mountains in the atopic dermatitis field of study but if you're looking for more information then browse on and feed your inquisitive mind.
We've searched the web for interesting and informative articles, research papers and scientific journal entries on eczema natural remedies. A summary of the article and the link to the original article is provided (dangerously assumed the full articles are actually what you're here for and not our feeble summaries. It's ok, we're not offended).
Have you read something interesting recently you think we'd be interested in? Send us an email! wecare@soothems.com
Article: Zinc Oxide Benefits for Protecting Your Skin from the Sun + More!
Author: Dr. Josh Axe, DNM, DC, CNS
The Soothems team has worked encapsulating Zinc Oxide onto textiles for over 15 years and has learned the incredible benefits zinc oxide offers beyond sun protection. The helpful characteristics below are why we encapsulate all the fibers in TEWLtect fabric with ZnO. All Soothems garments use TEWLTect fabric.
- Zinc Oxide helps lower skin inflammation associated with rashes, allergies or irritation (including diaper rash)
- Zinc Oxide improves wound healing and helps prevent bacterial infections
- ZnO aides in the recovery of burns and damaged tissue
- Zinc Oxide helps keep moisture locked into dry skin (including reducing conditions like dandruff)
- ZnO lowers inflammatory dermatoses (including rosacea)
Did you know that zinc oxide creams have curative properties to aid in healing and to prevent infection? This is why zinc oxide is the main active ingredient in diaper rash creams and OTC eczema creams.
Dr. Axe points out zinc oxide is also an excellent choice as the main active ingredient in sunscreen. Eliminate the threat of skin irritation and chemical toxins by choosing a zinc oxide sunscreen.
There are five main benefits from Zinc Oxide – each described in more detail in the article.
- Protects Skin from Sun Burns & Damage
"Today, zinc oxide is added to many more skin care products beyond sunscreen — it’s also an ingredient in beauty lotions or foundations including mineral makeup, concealers, moisturizers, BB creams and anti-aging formulas" - Helps Treat Acne
"Research suggests that zinc used topically on the skin either alone as well as in combination with other agents is effective mostly due to its anti-inflammatory activity and ability to reduce P. acnes bacteria by inhibition of P. acnes lipases and free fatty acid levels." - Treats Rashes & Irritation (Including Diaper Rash)
"Much research shows that zinc oxide helps to aid in new tissue growth, skin healing, repair work of wounds, and prevention of inflammation." - Helps Prevent Bacterial Infections
"With the ability to act like a mild astringent, zinc oxide can help keep harmful bacteria from causing infections of the skin, and act as a natural skin-drying agent." - Has Anti-Aging Effects and Improves Healing of Tissue Damage
"Not only does zinc oxide help prevent future sun damage, wrinkles and dark spots− it also helps to improve the synthesis of new skin tissue and collagen, a key substance needed to maintain skin’s youthful appearance."
Article: Pathways to Managing Atopic Dermatitis: Consensus From the Experts
Source: The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology
Authors: Mark G. Lebwohl, MD, James Q. Del Rosso, DO, William Abramovits, MD, Brian Berman, MD, David E. Cohen, MD, Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, Anthony J. Mancini, MD, and Lawrence A. Schachner, MD
A scientific journal article was written by eight dermatology thought leaders during a 2013 medical symposium. Their mission was to develop an easy to use model of diagnosing and prescribing treatment management for mild, moderate and severe cases of atopic dermatitis that takes into consideration environmental factors and other medical considerations that affect treatment options. The goal was to increase adherence to treatment recommendations and ultimately guide patients to favorable outcomes (fewer and less severe eczema outbreaks).
Please follow the link for profoundly detailed scientific research covering the current schools of thought regarding the origins of atopic dermatitis, environmental factors that cause or expatriate eczema, food allergies and eczema and pruritus causes (itchy skin present in 100 percent of eczema patients).
Also covered in medical depth are the current treatment options of eczema: Moisturizers and Barrier Repair Agents, Barrier Repair Medical Devices, Topical Corticosteroids, Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors, Phototherapy, Systemic Therapy, Bleach Baths, and Hypochlorous Acid and Antibiotics
Last, the journal article presents the Treatment Algorithm. There are first and second line options followed by maintenance and special circumstances. Each level of treatment has adjustment suggestions based on the severity of eczema (mild, moderate, severe).
This article examines in detail the benefits of retaining moisture on/in the skin and reducing TEWL (transepidermal water loss). The TEWLtect fabric developed for Soothems garments uses TENCEL® C (a cellulose fiber embedded with the bio-polymer Chitosan) which retains 50% of its weight as moisture, is thermoregulating, a helps control bacteria. TEWLTect blends TENCEL® C with Tamboocel (viscose made from bamboo pulp) fibers to form an occlusive barrier (meaning it blocks irritants thereby increasing natural moisture levels in the skin by providing a physical barrier) that can be used in a wet wrap with or without creams and emollients. The TEWLtect fibers are encapsulated with zinc oxide through a process that can never wear out or wash off. Among other healing benefits, zinc oxide acts as a protective layer on the skin to help lock in moisture.
Article: Preparations for Wounds and Burns: Antimicrobial and Wound-Healing Effects
Source: The Journal of Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy
Authors: Tianhong Dai, Masamitsu Tanaka, Ying-Ying Huang and Michael R Hamblin
TEWLtect fabrics are the first in the eczema clothing industry to utilize the wound healing benefits of chitosan.
This journal article reviews and compiles scientific research articles, each directly putting Chitosan to the test. Case after case reveals chitosan as beneficial to the healing process of all different kinds of wounds. Beneficial both by accelerating healing and by hindering and killing off infections.
Also reviewed is the use of chitosan as to vehicle for the delivery of both drugs and growth factors. The multiple studies on the topic of chitosan delivering drugs suggest that fibers incorporating chitosan will modulate topical drugs and act can as a vehicle to deliver growth factors to wounds/open sores to encourage healing. The article sums up by making the claim: "A large number of publications in this area suggests that chitosan will continue to be an important agent in the management of wounds and burns."