(01/09)
Researchers at the university of Nottingham are looking for children from six months to 16 years living in hard water areas and suffering from eczema to take part in a trial to establish whether softer water in the home could improve eczema in children.
The study started recruiting in 2007, and needs another 100 children to reach its target of 310 participants.
If you would like further information, or would like to help with the trial, please contact:
The Softened Water Eczema Trial Team at the University of Nottingham – 0115 846 8623.
Or check the website at www.swet-trial.co.uk
02/09
Readers may have noticed mention of a trial in Nottingham of the effect of hard/soft water on childrens’ eczema in the January Foods Matter.
Now we have heard of a
second trial taking place in Portsmouth for which researchers are also trying to
recruit volunteers.
The child needs to be between six months and 16 years old, have moderate to severe eczema and be able to travel to Portsmouth. The study will last 16 weeks during which water softeners will be fitted in the childrens’ homes and the severity of their eczema will be continually monitored.
Anne-Marie Crawford-Flanagan from Gosport has just finished the trial with her 15-month-old son Dylan who suffered from such severe eczema he needed to be wet wrapped from head to toe in bandages.
She said: ‘The eczema meant Dylan had bleeding sores and wouldn't sleep for more than an hour without waking up to scratch. We had about a dozen different creams on prescription and I was at my wit's end. 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.’
If you would like further information about taking part in the trial, please contact:
The Softened Water Eczema Trial team at the David Hide Asthma & Allergy Research Centre – 01983 534178.
For more information see www.swet-trial.co.uk or visit www.port.ac.uk
Click here for more research on the management of eczema
For links to skin and personal care products click here.
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