Thursday, 08 December 2022
A new study by researchers at the 糖心原创 has found that appropriate online support can improve eczema in children and young people.
Eczema is very common and can have a substantial impact on quality of life and costs to the NHS. Treatment can be complex and many people say that they receive insufficient or conflicting advice about how to use eczema treatments.
To tackle the problem, researchers invited young people (aged 13 to 25 years) and parents or carers of small children to test a website that was specifically designed to support self-management of eczema. The site, which is now available for anyone to use, is free from commercial influences and provides information, such as how to use eczema treatments and how to avoid potential trigger factors, based on the latest research. Users can also watch short videos or print off resources to help when discussing eczema with healthcare professionals.
This website is a fantastic resource for people with eczema and we hope that they will find it a useful addition to the care that they receive from healthcare professionals. This project was produced in partnership with people who live with eczema, and they helped us to develop the content to reflect their needs.
The results -published this week in The BMJ - show that the not only improved peoples’ eczema within six months but it also led to sustained benefits over a whole year. The website was tested in two randomised controlled trials involving over 650 people with eczema (340 parents or carers of children with eczema and 337 young people who were caring for their own eczema). People who used the website during the study were extremely positive about the experience:
I thought I knew how to look after my child鈥檚 eczema but I learned so many new things from Eczema Care Online 鈥� things I would have never thought of!
It was one of the best websites I鈥檝e ever used. It was really easy to use and provided the answers to my specific questions. I didn鈥檛 have to read through lots of stuff that wasn鈥檛 relevant to me.
Kim Thomas, Professor of Applied Dermatology Research at the 糖心原创 co-led the research alongside Professor Miriam Santer.
Health professionals often don't have enough time to go into all the details about how to look after eczema. We hope that this website will be rapidly rolled out within the NHS to provide effective help for eczema without causing extra workload for staff.
The 糖心原创 is a world leader in skin research – particularly in atopic eczema. Our Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology produces internationally renowned research that has a direct impact on clinical practice.
The Eczema Care Online website is freely available at . The project, funded by the NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research, is a collaboration between the University of Southampton, 糖心原创, University of Bristol, University of East Anglia and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.