Eczema patients may benefit from water softeners

Portsmouth, United Kingdom, January 13: Scientists from the University of Portsmouth are carrying out a water based experiment to find out, whether installing a water softener can provide relief to children suffering from eczemadefine.

The study shall look in to the effects of hard and soft water on the common skin disorder eczemadefine. For this purpose, researchers are recruiting children between six to sixteen years, with mild to severe eczema to participate in the clinical trial.

Professor Tara Dean, director of Research at the School of Health Sciences and Social Work, leader of the study felt that “Eczema is reported to be less common in areas of soft water and there is anecdotal evidence which suggests that sufferers who already have a water softener installed see a reduction in their symptoms. Carrying out a proper clinical trial will help prove if this is the case. If water softeners are found to improve the symptoms of eczema it will be a breakthrough for both patients and doctors.”

The families of the participants will be given a water softener for 12 weeks, to see if there is any change in their eczema conditions. Meanwhile the children will continue to use their normal eczema treatment throughout the study.

As a part of the experiment, the children (or their parents) will be asked to record their eczema symptoms daily and they will be provided with a small computerized wristband to monitor their night scratching when asleep.

Professor Dean, deputy director of David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Center said, “People with eczema tend to scratch more while sleeping without realizing they are doing it. We can monitor the amount they scratch to see if it reduces during the period their water is softened.”

Anne-Marie Crawford-Flanagan who participated in the research saw a ‘dramatic improvement" in her son Dylan’s condition. Dylan first developed eczema at the age of around three months, and by 15 months, his symptoms became serious. However, the softener showed a marked improvement in his condition. She said, "Less than two weeks after the softener was installed there was a dramatic improvement. Now there's barely a mark on him. He's a completely different baby."

Researchers are trialing water softening devices in families affected by the disorder. Margaret Cox, chief executive of National Eczema Society said that she was looking forward to telling people about the benefits of softeners. "Anecdotally there are years of reports of people saying soft or softened water was helpful."

Eczema affects nearly 20 percent of schoolchildren in the United Kingdom. The most common symptoms include dry, reddened skin, that itches, burns and can lead to oozing lesions. Most available treatments only suppress the condition on a temporary basis.

The study is funded by the Department of Health and is being coordinated by the University of Nottingham.