January Newsletter

Atopic Dermatitis Study

The Baker Research Center has a new study beginning this month for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, otherwise known as atopic eczema. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition partially related to defects in the cells in the skin's outside layer [1]. Signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis include itchy, dry skin, which has a red, scaly and bumpy appearance [2]. It typically affects the inside of the elbows and the posterior aspect of the knees in adults, although atopic dermatitis may present on any area of the body [3].

The upcoming study involves a medication that is administered in the Baker Research Center every two weeks to treat patients who have had atopic dermatitis for over three years, which hasn't responded adequately to topical steroid medications. Throughout the study, patients will have their skin assessed by a physician at the Baker Research Center. The study lasts approximately one year, with initial visits every two weeks, then every month for the remainder of the study. The medication and treatment is free of charge throughout the study.

If you or someone you know is interested in more information about the atopic dermatitis study, please call Brittany in our Research Center at 503 534-2622.

1. Spergel JM, Paller AS. Atopic dermatitis and the atopic march. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003; 112:S118.

2. Rudikoff D, Lebwohl M. Atopic dermatitis. Lancet 1998; 351:1715.

3. Williams HC. Clinical practice. Atopic dermatitis. N Engl J Med 2005; 352:2314.

Sublinqual Immunotherapy (SLIT)

Sublinqual immunotherapy has been implemented and used at the Baker Allergy and Asthma Center for the past several years in the form of liquid drops to treat allergic rhinitis. SLIT is an alternative option to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for patients with 1-2 significant allergies. Instead of receiving an injection to treat allergic rhinitis, a few drops of the antigen medication are administered under the tongue (sublingually) once daily. The treatment course is for 3-5 years like SCIT, but can be administered at home instead of in the clinic.

SLIT has been used to treat allergies to dogs, cats, pollens and dust mites. For treatment of pollen allergies, SLIT should be administered 1-2 months prior to the beginning of pollen season for best results and continued throughout the pollen season, then repeated during the next pollen season for a total of 3-5 years. We have many patients who use SLIT for tree and grass pollen allergies during the pollen season. We are starting patients on SLIT for tree and grass pollen currently to prepare for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.

For treatment of perennial allergens, such as dust mites and pets, SLIT may be started at any time and needs to be administered year round. The type of antigens included in the SLIT bottles are customized to treat each individual patient's allergies.

If you are interested in learning more about SLIT for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, please contact us at 503-636-9011 for an appointment.