Eczema

Trial of IGe tests for Eczema Relief (TIGER): randomised controlled trial of test-guided dietary advice for children with eczema, with internal pilot and nested economic and process evaluations

Addressing one of the top 4 priorities: NIHR research in progress

This study, based in GP surgeries, aims to answer the question "Does dietary advice based on routine food allergy tests improve disease control compared with usual care in children with eczema?"

Best Emollients for Eczema (BEE): Pragmatic, primary care, multi-centre, randomised superiority trial of four emollients in children with eczema, with nested economic evaluation and qualitative study

Addressing one of the top 4 priorities: NIHR research completed

1 in 5 children in the UK have eczema There are many different emollients (moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin) to relieve skin dryness and hardly any research comparing them. This research team wants to do a fair test of the four most commonly used types of emollients.  Read more about the BEE study in this BMJ article from 24 October 2019.

Methotrexate versus Ciclosporin in the Treatment of Severe Atopic Eczema in Children: An economic evaluation 

Addressing one of the top Health Professional priorities: This NIHR-funded research compares the cost effectiveness of two drug treatments for children who have severe eczema.  102 children aged 2 to 16 years will be randomly chosen to be given either Ciclosporin or Methotrexate for a 36 week treatment period with 24 weeks further follow-up.  An economic evaluation is required, as it is currently uncertain which drug represents best value-for-money for the UK National Health Service (NHS). 

Best systemic treatments for adults with atopic eczema over the long term (BEACON): A randomised, assessor-blind trial comparing ciclosporin, methotrexate and dupilumab

Addressing one of the top Health Professional priorities: NIHR research in progress

Mild eczema can usually be controlled with creams/ ointments. More severe disease needs 'systemic' treatments (taken by mouth or injection) such as methotrexate and ciclosporin that dampen down the immune system. Recently, treatments have been developed to block signals from one type of immune cell (T helper 2 cell or Th2) that is particularly important in eczema and related diseases such as asthma. Dupilumab is the first of these to be available on the NHS but so far studies have only compared dupilumab with placebo (dummy drug), not the standard treatments, so we do not know which is best. The aim of this trial is to compare the effectiveness of dupilumab (the new targeted treatment) and methotrexate (the most commonly used standard systemic treatment) to ciclosporin (the only licensed standard systemic treatment). It will also compare their side effects, how well they are tolerated by patients, and costs.

How often should you bathe when you have Eczema?

Addressing one the the top Patient and Carer priorities: Research in progress through the Rapid Eczema Trials Project

There is uncertainty around if taking baths or showers more often or less often is best for eczema.  In this Eczema Bathing Study, the Eczema Rapid Trials Project are trying to find out if having a bath or shower weekly is better than having a bath or shower every day.