|
This
site is dedicated to informing eczema sufferers about a new, non-steroidal
treatment that works to actually fix one
of the underlying causes of eczema. (See link below about the link
between lipid deficiencies and eczema)
We have tried
many kinds of creams and lotions - even prescription medications
- and so far, the TriCeram Ceramide Dominant Barrier Repair Solution
is our favorite. Why? It is safe for children and infants of all
ages, it is safe for long term use (in fact, the longer you use
it, the better off your skin gets), and because it is a non-greasy
cream that acutally works to lessen the dependance of atopic skin
on heavy moisturizing creams by restoring the skin's own ability
to trap moisture.
Eczema
(sometimes incorrectly spelled exema, exzema, or ecxema) is a skin
condition affecting more than 10 million Americans. This site is
dedicated to those eczema sufferers who are continually on the search
for an effective eczema treatment.
For more
information on eczema, please click on any of the links below or to
the left. For more information on TriCeram, please click on the link
entitled, "What is TriCeram and how does it work?"
Eczema Information:
Q:
What is eczema?
Eczema,
or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is an inherited skin sensitivity
that can be easily irritated by many factors including, stress,
water, some foods, irritants like soap and chemicals, allergic reactions,
cats, wool, infections and many other factors. Individuals with
eczema often have a family history of allergies, asthma, eczema,
and hayfever. Eczema patients are more likely to have severe reactions
to bee stings, some drugs like penicillin and some foods.
Eczema
severity can range from hot, dry and itchy skin to open, broken,
and bleeding sores. We will discuss the two main types of eczema
- atopic eczema and infantile seborrhoeic eczema.
Atopic
eczema (also know as atopic dermatitis) is the most common form
of eczema. This type of eczema is accompanied by overall skin dryness,
redness, inflammation, and a strong, sometimes unbearable itch.
Infantile
seborrhoeic eczema is very common condition that affects infants
under one year of age. It usually starts on the scalp area. Although,
the scaly, flakes and dryness look terrible, this type of eczema
is not sore or itchy and does not cause discomfort to the baby.
Most cases of infant eczema will go away within just a few months.
Q:
What causes eczema?
The
cause of eczema varies according to the type of eczema. The cause
of atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is largely unknown - though
it is thought that heredity is the largest factor. There are studies
that show a link between certain ceramide and lipid deficiencies
in the skin and atopic eczema (see studies link). It is also proposed
that those with atopic eczema are sensitive to allergens in the
air that other people are immune to. The immune system then overreacts
to these allergens and causes inflamed, irritated, or sore skin.
Allergic
contact dermatitis (a form of eczema) is caused when individuals
become allergic to substances that come in contact with their skin
- such as poison ivy.
Nummular
eczema occurs in round circles on the skin and many be mistaken
for ring worm. Its cause is unknown.
Other
types of eczema are caused by irritants such as chemicals and detergents,
allergens such as nickel, and yeast growths. In later years eczema
can be caused by a blood circulatory problems in the legs.
The
causes of certain types of eczema remain to be explained, though
links with environmental factors and stress are being explored.
Q:
What are the different types of eczema?
Atopic
Dermatitis (inherited sensitive skin)
Nummular eczema (coin shaped eczema -round patches of eczema)
Dyshidrosis (blistering hand eczema on the hands and/or feet.
Irritant eczema (dishwater hands)
allergic contact eczema (poison ivy)
Q:
Is there a cure for eczema?
Many
people will have eczema
as a child and grow out of it, though there is no guarantee, research
has shown that approximately 60-70% of children are clear by the
time they reach their mid-teens. Many others are affected by eczema
part or even throughout their lives. It is possible to treat but
not always possible to cure eczema. There are ways to treat the
eczema and minimize the possibility of flare ups. These can include
emollients, topical steroids, oral steroids, and topical imunomodulators
(which are not steroids, but instead "modulate" the immune
system.
Though
TriCeram is not a cure, studies have found that eczema flare-ups
are less likely to occur the longer it is used. This is in stark
contrast to steroids - which can actually cause more problems with
long-term use.
There
are also ways of minimizing environmental allergens and irritants
commonly found in the home. Water purifiers, air filters, unscented
detergents, handmade soap will all help.
Q:
What is TriCeram and how does it work?
A:
TriCeram is a safe, non-steroidal maintenance therapy for the treatment
of dry skin associated with eczema. Eczema is characterized by dry
and itchy skin with periodic flares of inflammation. In severe eczema
cases, the condition can be life-altering and result in chronic
loss of sleep. Over 15 million American suffer from eczema and it
is the most common childhood disease. The incidence of eczema has
tripled since 1970 for reasons that are still unknown.
Scientists
have discovered that children with eczema have far lower levels
of ceramides in their skin. (See Study Cases #'s 1 &2) Ceramides
are a key component of the skin's barrier function which is responsible
for maintaining moisture in the skin. Ceramides alone, however,
are not sufficient to redress the underlying cause of dry skin and
eczema. Researchers at the University of California (see link, Who
is Dr. Peter Elias?) have discovered that an optimal combination
of the skin's natural lipids is necessary to accelerate repair of
barrier function. This patented technology has been exclusively
licensed by the University of California to Osmotics and forms the
basis for TriCeram.
TriCeram
contains the skin's three dominant epidermal lipids in specific
molecular ratios to directly address the underlying cause of eczema.
This ratio is ceramide dominant and satisfies that ceramide deficiency
inherit in atopic skin. Infusing the skin with the correct ratio
of epidermal lipids soothes the eczema and helps reduce the irritation
and dryness associated with the condition. In addition, TriCeram
encourages the skin to regain its health and return to a normalized
state.
Unlike
steroidal treatment, TriCeram is completely safe for long-term use
and will not encourage an eczematic rebound. TriCeram will be especially
helpful for children and babies who, to this point, have had significant
complications with the use of steroids.
Q:
What make TriCeram different than other eczema creams?
First
of all, TriCeram does not contain any steroids. Steroids concentrate
on relieving inflammation, TriCeram works to restore the skin's
lipid barrier, stopping the dryness and restoring the skin, preventing
any inflammation and itch.
TriCeram
is the only moisturizer that contains all three essential epidermal
lipids in the exact molar ratio clinically proven to repair, restore
and maintain healthy barrier function.
Moisturizers
based on only one or two lipids, or not containing the ceramide
dominant ratio of lipids, may initially increase water content,
but do nothing to rebuild the skin's barrier. Long term use of many
commercial moisturizers may actually impede rather than facilitate
barrier repair, this aggravating the underlying cause of dry skin
conditions associated with eczema, psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.
Other
moisturizers use heavy emollients foreign to the human skin such
as shea butter, emu oil, and petrolatum. These may help temporarily
soothe the skin and relieve dryness, but the skin can become dependent
on these moisturizers as they do nothing to actually repair and
rebuild the skin. TriCeram works to rebuild the skin's own water
barrier system, creating a healthy epidermis that functions and
works to retain moisture like normal, non-diseased skin.
Q:
Who is Dr. Peter Elias?
A pioneering
researcher of the epidermal permeability barrier, Dr. Peter Elias
was the first to propose that its structure is analogous to "bricks-and-mortar".
His theory is now generally accepted in medical circle; he is extending
his research beyond structural definitions to the barrier's functional
and metabolic properties.
Dr.
Elias has received many honors including the Robert Chesebrough
Gold Medal for Research in 1990. He is a fellow of the California
Academy of Sciences; he has been elected to both the American Society
for Clinical Investigation and the American Association of Professors'
and is an editor for several scientific journals.
Clinical
Specialty:
- General
Dermatology
- Scaling
Skin Disorders
- Atopic
Dermatitis and Eczema
Studies
1&2 on the link between epidermal deficiencies and eczema and
atopic dermatitis.
#1
Stratum
Corneum Lipid Abnormalities in Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Yamamoto
A, Serizawa S, Ito M, Sato Y Department of Dermatology, Nigata University
School of Medicine, Japan
This
study focused on studying the the link between Eczema and lipid
abnormalities. To study the difference, lipids from the stratum
corneum were collected from 6 eczema patients aged 15 to 25 years.
Using chromatography/photodensitometry, all lipid classes and ceramide
fractions were isolated and quantitated.
What
they found: The relative amount of all the stratum corneum lipid
classes, did not differ statistically between the eczema patients
and the control group. However, a significant decrease in proportion
of ceramide 1, which is believed to be a carrier of linoleate responsible
for a water-barrier function (important for maintaining healthy
skin that traps moisturizer successfully.), And increased levels
ofd esterified C18:1 fatty acids (oleate) of ceramide 1 were observed
in eczema patients. The results suggest that a significantly reduced
amount and/or structural alterations of ceramide 1 may be responsible
for the impaired water-barrier function of the skin in eczema.
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
#2
Ceramide
and Cholesterol Composition of the Skin of Patients with Atopic
Dermatitis ( Eczema)
Di
Nardo A, Wertz P, Giannetti A, Seidenari S Department of Dermatology,
University of Moden, Italy
Atopic
Dermatitis (Eczema) skin tends to be easily irritated and appears
dry. These factors point to an impaired barrier function and to
increased transepidermal water loss. A few studies suggest that
a reduced amount of total ceramides (especially of ceramide 1) is
responsible for abnormalities in the skin on eczema sufferers. The
aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between epidermal
lipids and barrier impairment in the skin of patients with atopic
dermatitis (eczema). The quantity of ceramides, cholesterol sulphate
and free cholesterol of 47 patients with atopic dermatitis and 20
age-and-sex-matched healthy subjects was assessed by cyanoacrylate
stripping and thin layer chromatography. In patients with atopic
dermatitis , the levels of ceramide 1 and 3 were significantly lower
and values of cholesterol significantly higher with respect to healthy
subjects. Moreover, the CER/CH ratio was significantly lower with
respect to normal skin. Patients with active signs of eczema also
had higher TEWL values and lower capacitance values. By contrast,
patients with no active signs of atopic dermatitis (eczema) had
a normal barrier function and intermediate values of ceramides and
cholesterols when compared to patients with atopic dermatitis with
active lesions and normal subjects. The quantity of ceramide 3 was
significantly correlated with TEWL impairment. These finding suggest
that a decrease in ceramides in the stratum corneum is involved
in barrier impairment in atopic dermatitis skin.
Ezcema
Pictures:
Before and after 4 weeks of TriCeram
use:
|
Before
TriCeram
|
After
Triceram (4 weeks)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where to purchase
TriCeram:
TriCeram can be purchased
from dermatologists or online at www.skincarerx.com.
To
Purchase TriCeram, click here
|
