While it only affects a small percentage of adults (the American Academy of Dermatology says it’s “rare” and the majority of cases happen in childhood), eczema suffers know how debilitating the skin condition can be. Dry, scaly skin is just the start; thickened skin, persistent itching and infections can quickly follow.
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But, now, there seems to be some very promising hope—in the form of a new experimental drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc and Sanofi Inc. The injectable medicine, called Dupixent, “significantly cleared skin lesions in the same pair of studies without serious side effects typically seen with standard treatments for the chronic inflammatory skin disease,” according to Reuters. The studies, which took place over a two-week trial, included 1,400 adults with moderate to severe disease.
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What’s more, the drug had positive effects in other areas, including “improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms,” the researchers said. More studies are still underway.
Updated March 30: The FDA approved the drug this week for treat adults with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis).
