In response to a new study that found a gene that promotes itching, Tampa dermatologist Dr. Seth Forman says that this could be a major breakthrough for developing enhanced treatments for skin conditions characterized by itching including eczema and psoriasis.
According to the journal Neuron, researchers from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, Calif., and the University of California, found that a serotonin receptor plays a significant role in the development of eczema and other forms of chronic itch disorders.
“The gene promotes itching within the skin,” said Dr. Forman. “Discovering the source is a huge step in finding new ways of treating people who suffer from eczema and psoriasis.”
Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a skin condition characterized by irritated skin due to the release of inflammatory chemicals in the body. Common symptoms include a combination of itchy, dry and red patchy skin on areas of the body including the face, hands and neck.
After carrying out a series of experiments on mice, it was concluded that in addition to eczema, altered levels of the serotonin HTR7 signaling in the skin is found in other forms of itch, including psoriasis and allergic itch. Researchers also found that reducing levels of the serotonin caused the lab mice to scratch less.
The Tampa dermatologist, currently conducting clinical trials for eczema and psoriasis, says that results are promising.
“This is encouraging and exciting news for both dermatologists and patients,” said Dr. Forman. “The decrease in itching suggests that sufferers of diseases such as eczema and psoriasis can benefit from new treatments targeting HTR7.”
Dr. Forman is the founder of Forman Dermatology and Skin institute, located in Tampa, Fla. and has appeared on TV shows across the country, including the nationally syndicated show “The Doctors” to provide sun-protection tips and to demonstrate his breakthrough skin cancer treatments.
If interested in being a part of the clinical trial for eczema or psoriasis, or for more on Dr. Seth Forman, Tampa dermatology or Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, please visit www.FormanDerm.com.
About Dr. Seth Forman: Dr. Forman is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Tampa, Florida. He was voted the “Best Dermatologist in Carrollwood” in 2011 and 2012 by the Carrollwood News and Tribune. In December 2011, he opened his new Tampa dermatology office, Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, where he gives psoriasis sufferers access to the latest treatment options, including topical and oral medications, as well as biological and phototherapy. Dr. Forman is one of the few Tampa dermatologists to offer narrowband light therapy, which uses pharmaceutical grade light to suppress psoriasis. He’s also one of the few board-certified dermatologists in the U.S. to use the SRT-100 radiotherapy to treat basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.
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SOURCE: Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute
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