A study from the University of Birmingham has found that individuals who experienced abuse, neglect, or domestic violence during childhood have a significantly higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis later in life.
Study Details The research used over 16 million Electronic Health Records to create two groups: one exposed to childhood maltreatment and one not. Over 26 years, researchers tracked these records for signs of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs) like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
Key Findings The study revealed that childhood maltreatment is associated with a higher incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, especially in women. Dr. Liam Snook led the study, with senior author Professor Joht Singh Chandan, highlighting it as the first matched cohort longitudinal study to explore this link.
What Makes This Study Unique? Unlike previous studies that pooled data from multiple sources, this study followed individuals over time to determine the exact incidence of these diseases. The Dexter software used in the study can quickly analyze large databases, providing accurate and reproducible results.
Why It Matters The findings suggest new areas for research into how early life stressors might lead to immune diseases. For public health professionals, the study underscores the importance of addressing healthcare inequalities and ensuring that resources are allocated to those most in need.
Future Plans The researchers aim to use this approach to examine other areas like crime, social care, and mental health, hoping to uncover more links between early life experiences and later health outcomes.
Made4 Vitamins breaks down some of the foods you can include in your diet to manage and improve acne, psoriasis and eczema.
Key findings:
Anti-inflammatory foods, including antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and salmon can help to soothe all three skin conditions and are an essential addition to any skin-friendly diet.
Eczema is often an allergic reaction, so managing histamine levels in the body is important. Probiotics, found in soft cheeses, miso soup, tempeh and sourdough bread, fight allergic reactions.
Quercetin is a powerhouse when it comes to treating eczema from the inside – it reduces both inflammation and histamine levels. This ingredient can be found in spinach, blueberries, apples, kale and cherries.
Just like its topical application (where it’s known as retinol/retinal/retinoids), vitamin A in the diet can combat acne. A diet that includes carrots, apples, grapes, watermelons and apricot is ideal.
Vitamin E is another important ingredient in the fight against acne. Nuts, seeds, asparagus and pumpkin are rich in the vitamin – so Halloween is the perfect time to start adding it into your diet.
Mango, red bell peppers and spinach are all high in both vitamin A and E. Supplements can help people to boost their level of these vitamins for healthy skin.
Three Common Skin
Conditions and the Foods You Can Add to Your Diet to Treat Them
There’s a skincare product for every condition. But when it
comes to medical conditions that affect our complexion, sometimes we need a bit
more of a boost.
Did you know that the food you eat can have an impact on
various skin conditions? An estimated 60%
of people in the UK have some form of skin condition, so it’s vital that we
manage them in the best way possible.
Here, personalised vitamin provider Made4 Vitamins discuss some of the foods
you can add to your diet to help combat the signs of three common skin
conditions.
Acne
Who among us hasn’t suffered from a bout of acne at one
point in our lives? Whether you battle it on the daily or you have the
occasional flare-up, acne can be an ongoing struggle for many people. In fact,
95% of people aged between 11–30 experience it. Acne comes in many forms, from
blackheads and whiteheads to pustules and papules.
While eating
fast food doesn’t cause acne – a common misconception – there are a lot of
nutritious foods that can improve it. Vitamin A is a popular, well-studied
ingredient in skincare, with acne-fighting and anti-ageing benefits. You
probably know this better as retinol, retinal, or retinoids in your topical
skincare routine.
Carrots, apples, grapes, watermelons and apricot are all
foods rich in vitamin A, so be sure to add them to your diet. For your vitamin
E fix, add a range of nuts and seeds (especially sunflower seeds, almonds and
peanuts), as well as asparagus and pumpkin, to your plate. With Halloween
around the corner, why not take the opportunity to enjoy your favourite
seasonal treats, like pumpkin soup or pumpkin pie?
For the best of both worlds, mango, red bell peppers and
spinach are rich in both vitamin A and E. It doesn’t hurt to take a supplement
if you’re finding it hard to fit these vitamins into your diet – but make sure
you’re taking a tailored mix of vitamins to avoid under or overdosing on your
vitamin needs.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a condition that affects around one in 50 people in the UK.
It causes scaly, flaky skin that doesn’t look or feel good. As well as causing
sore and itchy patches, it can knock our confidence when it’s noticeable.
What’s more, cold
weather can trigger psoriasis flare-ups, making it even more important to
manage effectively in the winter months.
When it comes to hacks for treating psoriasis, celebrities
are taking things into their own hands. Kim
Kardashian drank sister Kourtney’s breast milk and applied it to her
psoriasis patches – with little success. Instead of this ineffective hack, try
hacking your diet instead.
Because psoriasis is an inflammatory condition, eating
anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce its severity. Most fruit and
vegetables, as well as herbs rich in antioxidants, are all anti-inflammatory.
Healthy fats – such as those found in salmon, nuts and seeds – also help to
reduce inflammation in our bodies and skin. Fish oil supplements can be
beneficial if you’re not a fan of eating seafood.
Eczema
Eczema is another common skin condition that can cause
tight, dry skin that peels and flakes. It affects
1.3 million people in the UK. People who have allergies are more prone to
eczema and it can be considered an allergic reaction in some cases. And, like
psoriasis, it can worsen in winter. Dry
air and indoor heating can make your skin more dehydrated out even more, so
start incorporating some eczema-soothing food into your diet ahead of the
coldest months.
As well as using deeply moisturising and nourishing skincare
products that contain ingredients like shea
butter and glycerin, you can hydrate your skin and prevent flare-ups from
the inside out. Probiotics can help fight the allergic and inflammatory reactions
that cause eczema, so fill your kitchen with tempeh, sourdough bread, soft
cheeses and miso soup.
Like psoriasis, people who have eczema can benefit from a
diet filled with heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory foods. Allergic reactions in
the skin are caused by inflammation, so be sure to add nuts, seeds and fatty
fish such as salmon and herring.
For the best of both worlds, quercetin
is the ingredient you need to look out for. This plant-derived flavonoid is
both an anti-inflammatory and an antihistamine, meaning it can reduce initial
allergic reactions as well as the ensuing physical symptoms. You can find this
powerhouse ingredient in broccoli, blueberries, cherries, apples, spinach and
kale. Green smoothie, anyone?
Whether you live with a long-term skin condition like
psoriasis or experience intermittent flare-ups of acne or eczema, they can be
frustrating to deal with. A combination of the right topical skincare and foods
rich in ingredients that nourish your skin are the key to managing a range of
skin conditions and having a complexion that is hydrated, soft and
blemish-free.
New research data suggests that there has been an explosion in the number of people experiencing eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis, has increased by at least 10 per cent in the last year alone.[1]
That’s according to a new research report – More Than Skin Deep: The Urgent Need To Address An Epidemic Of Skin Conditions -from Typharm’s Skin Life Sciences Foundation (SLSF) – a new information body to help bust skin issues and help educate on skin matters.
The research data detailed within More Than Skin Deep, found that 78 per cent of people just polled said they now suffer from skin problems which they believe are born out of the essential hand washing hygiene measures of COVID-19 as well as stress. Dry skin was detailed as the main skin trouble by 59% of those people questioned. A third (34%) noted they now suffer from cracked skin, while 30 per cent claimed to suffer from soreness and 16 per cent have been so badly affected that their skin has bled. Earlier data from the royal college of physicians showed that 54%[2][i]of the population were affected by skin issues.
Worryingly, the British skin foundation has warned that almost a quarter of children are now suffering from eczema on their hands as a result of more frequent hand washing.[3] Stress and anxiety are also important drivers for skin conditions and COVID-19 has brought a psychological toll that is likely to be fuelling the deterioration of skin health too.
The pandemic has also led to much higher levels of depression and anxiety,[4] a worrying increase in unhealthy levels of alcohol consumption[5] and additional weight gain[6] —all bad news for our skin and factors helping to drive what has become an epidemic within the pandemic.
Scientists are still unravelling the complex brain-skin connections and
pathways which can activate a cascade of negative hormonal and inflammatory
changes. But there is no doubt that stress can trigger, or exacerbate, skin
flare-ups.[7]
GP, Dr Nisa Aslam from Typharm’s Skin Life Sciences Foundation says: “We were already seeing a significant increase in skin conditions but, when COVID-19 reached the UK, we saw an explosion in skin issues, largely a result of stress, anxiety, extra hand washing and use of hand sanitisers. And although we are now living with COVID-19 with restrictions easing, the skin health issues have continued to increase. Masks have also worsened problems, with 51% of those who took part in this new research reporting that face coverings have aggravated their eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis.”
Dr Aslam adds: “Handwashing
remains a vital part of our battle against the COVID-19 as we live with it, so
skin health problems will continue. Flare-ups
should be treated quickly, using treatments prescribed by a doctor or
healthcare professional. Topical steroids
are sometimes needed to control flare-ups, and while they cannot be
used daily for prolonged periods, these useful medicines are invaluable
for many people with skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.[8]
“Finding the most effective
therapy is often a matter of trial. There are a variety of skin treatment
options across eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis from ointments, creams to
steroid medicated tape, with new products coming through all the time. There is always scope for innovation and an important advance has
been the development of new formats — such as medicated tapes — to help deliver
steroids within a different format. Another has been intermittent treatment
such as weekend or twice-a-week applications to achieve ongoing control without
the issues involved with prolonged use.[9] As a result, it’s important to keep going back to your doctor, or dermatologist, for
advice.”
More Than Skin Deep –
sorting fact from fiction
The Skin Life Sciences
Foundation supports Health Care Professionals with an interest in the
eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis and works to raise awareness of skin
health and effective skin health management. The foundation includes a group of
independent, medical experts who take a special interest in skin wellbeing
including GPs, dermatologist and pharmacists. It receives a restricted
educational grant from the Typharm Group.
Typharm is a British life
sciences group committed to finding solutions to a range of skin problems,
particularly inflammatory conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and
lichen planus. This expertise also encompasses wound care, and a range of topic
products spanning creams, ointments, and medicated tape. See www.typharm.com for more information.
The purpose of this blog is three fold. Firstly simply to showcase Donnee’s brilliant work.
Secondly we are hoping she will be able to send us individual copies which we can share with our readers on separate posts. Please use the comments box to let us know which ones you might like posted first.
Finally if you would like Donnee to consider other causes to produce these wonderful images for – please let us know in the comments box and we will share with her.
Living with an autoimmune disease can feel like an insider is attacking your body. An estimated 24 million people in the United States are affected by autoimmune diseases, a group of diseases in which the person’s immune system attacks part of the person’s own body.
Now, Purdue University researchers have developed a series of molecules that may provide more reliable relief with fewer side effects for people with any of several autoimmune diseases. The new molecules overcome difficulties with current drugs in targeting, for purposes of inhibiting, the appropriate form of Janus kinase, which has four forms affecting cell signaling and gene expression.
The new inhibitors may provide relief for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, myelofibrosis and other autoimmune diseases with a reduction in side effects compared with current therapies. The research appears in the November edition of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
“Our new molecules fit within the emerging field of therapeutically useful Janus kinase inhibitors that have attracted a lot of attention and excitement within the medicinal chemistry community and the general field of medicine,” said Mark Cushman, a distinguished professor of medicinal chemistry in Purdue’s College of Pharmacy, who leads the research team. “Our compounds contribute a new structural chemotype that is expected to have unique pharmacological properties relative to the other known Janus kinase inhibitors.”
Cushman, a member of the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, said the new molecules also show potential to allow for more treatment options for people with autoimmune diseases. Abnormalities of the immune system often lead to autoimmune diseases or cancer.
The work aligns with Purdue’s Giant Leaps celebration, celebrating the university’s global advancements in health as part of Purdue’s 150th anniversary. This is one of the four themes of the yearlong celebration’s Ideas Festival, designed to showcase Purdue as an intellectual center solving real-world issues.
Researchers filed a patent with the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization and the technology is available for licensing.
##
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the ...
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.