Eczema Awareness Month: How Research and Patients Are Driving Progress

October is Eczema Awareness Month! At FindMyClinicalTrial, we’re proud to support the more than 31 million Americans living with eczema and to spotlight groundbreaking research advancing eczema knowledge and driving the discovery of new treatments and therapies.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis (AD), is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, occurring in 10 to 30 percent of children and 2 to 10 percent of adults in the United States. The condition is characterized by dry, itchy skin that can weep clear fluid when scratched. It can make people more susceptible to bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections and is the strongest risk factor for the development of food allergies. Additionally, severe forms of eczema can significantly affect quality of life.

The causes of eczema are still unknown. Fortunately, research is underway to help identify them. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is funding one such study – the SUNBEAM study – the goal of which is to identify prenatal and early-life markers of high risk for eczema, as well as biological pathways that result from the condition.

In addition, phase 3 trials, which assess the effectiveness of new treatments, are also underway. You can see a full list of these trials on our platform.

Ongoing research provides people with eczema the promise of deeper insights into their condition and the development of improved therapies. Yet, none of this progress is possible without the essential contributions of patients who participate in clinical trials. 

In a 2020 survey conducted by the National Eczema Association (NEA), researchers identified the most important factors for eczema patients and caregivers when considering clinical trial participation. Their research suggested a need for clinical trial sites to improve the quality and type of information they share with patients and caregivers about participation.

Information that centers patients can foster better understanding and awareness of clinical trials – encouraging eczema patients to take the leap from considering participation to enrolling.

At its core, FindMyClinicalTrial is a patient-centered organization. We aim to facilitate connections between patients and trials that empower individuals to feel in full control of clinical trial discovery and participation. We partner with clinical trial doctors and sites to ensure their trial information is presented in a way that makes sense for patients and caregivers alike.

Blog written by Genevieve Satzinger