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Scientists hopeful of cure for itchiness and eczema

Eczema and Itchiness - Level 0

Itches are annoying. Researchers studied what causes itches. They found that bacteria in our skin make us itch. The bacteria cause diseases like eczema. A researcher said many people have eczema. She added that eczema can be very tiring for people because they itch a lot.

The researchers found something that caused itching in test mice. They changed the protein to make a drug. This stopped itching in the mice. This drug could help 245 million people around the world with eczema. Eczema causes itchiness, redness on the skin, rashes, and blisters.

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Eczema and Itchiness - Level 1

Itches that will not go away are annoying. Researchers have studied for many years what causes itches. They have now found that bacteria in our skin make us itch. The bacteria are linked to many diseases that cause itchiness, like eczema. A researcher wrote that eczema sufferers have skin bacteria that cause eczema. She added that itches can be very tiring for people who have skin problems.

The researchers did their research on mice. They found a kind of protein caused itching in the test mice. The researchers changed the protein to make a drug to stop itching in the mice. This drug could help the 245 million eczema sufferers in the world. Eczema sufferers get itchiness, redness on the skin, and rashes. They can also get blisters on their skin. A lot more women than men get eczema.

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Eczema and Itchiness - Level 2

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Having an itch that won't go away is annoying. Scientists have worked for many years to find out why we itch. Researchers in the USA have found that bacteria in our skin make us itch. The lead researcher said the bacteria are linked to many diseases that cause itchiness. The most common of these is eczema. A researcher wrote: "Many patients carry on their skin the very microbe we've now shown for the first time can cause itching." She added that itches can be very tiring for people who have long-term skin problems.

The researchers conducted their research on mice. They found a kind of protein was responsible for itching in the test mice. The protein made the mice itch. The researchers changed the protein and made a drug to stop it making the mice itch. This drug could help to make anti-itch drugs for humans. This is good news for the 245 million eczema sufferers around the world. Eczema sufferers get itchiness, redness on the skin, and rashes. They can also get small blisters on their skin. Eczema is twice as common in females as it is in males.

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Eczema and Itchiness - Level 3

One of the most annoying things in life is an itch that won't go away. Scientists have worked for decades to find out why we itch, and to find a cure. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in the USA have discovered that skin bacteria make us itch when they interact with our nerve cells. Lead researcher Liwen Deng said the bacteria are linked to many diseases that cause itchiness. The most common disease is eczema. Dr Leng wrote: "It's not the nicest bug to have on you, for sure. Many patients carry on their skin the very microbe we've now shown for the first time can induce itch." She added that: "Itches can be quite debilitating in patients who suffer from chronic skin conditions."

Dr Leng and her colleagues conducted their research on mice. They found an enzyme (which they dubbed V8) that was responsible for itching in the test mice. The V8 enzyme triggered a protein that made the mice itch. The scientists engineered the protein and developed a drug to stop it making the mice itch. The drug could be used to make anti-itch medication. This could block the itching process in humans. This is good news for eczema sufferers. Eczema affects around 245 million people globally. As well as itchiness, sufferers often get redness on their skin and a rash. They may also get small blisters and a thickening of the skin. Eczema is twice as common in females as it is in males.

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