Dermatologist Brian S. Kim Sheds Light on Atopic dermatitis

by Martin Gray Content Writer

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a recurrent skin disease that induces the proclivity to itch, begetting red rashes, marks and hives visible on the skin. This agonizing and compulsive sensation has been classified as a highly debilitating sensory experience. Also known as pruritus, this malady may be localized or generalized and can occur as an acute or chronic condition. Itching lasting more than six weeks is termed as ‘chronic pruritus’. Itching can be intractable and incapacitating, as well as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. It can start from a small area on an individual’s body, and secondary to scratching may spread all over.

As many as 16.5 million adults in America suffer from this ailment. “We tend to think of this disease as children’s disease, but our data show that’s not the case,” said UPenn study’s lead author Zelma C. Chiesa Fuxench, MD, MSCE, an assistant professor of Dermatology at UPenn.

Physician-scientist, dermatologist, neuroimmunologist, inventor, entrepreneur Brian S. Kim, elucidates that many individuals are a victim of this chronic inflammatory indisposition. Kim is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Co-Director Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders at Washington University School of Medicine. He has been working and researching on the cure and treatment for this disease for now many years. He says, "Study after study has shown that it's as bad as chronic pain, and possibly worse. My patients tell me it's often worse."

Kim believes that there has not been much coverage on this infirmity until recently. He further denotes that limited research, exploration and analysis on this disease has delayed a treatment for this illness until now. As a result of which he advocates that more disease awareness is required to close these major gaps. He himself has been working on it. He is presently the Co-Director for the Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders at Washington University School of Medicine since 2014. He is also a part of the Scientific Advisory Board for multiple organizations including – Cell Reports Medicine (2020 – present) and National Eczema Association (2020 – 2025).

Kim has a unique background in making seminal discoveries that directly shaped the diagnosis and treatment of unmet clinical diseases like eczema and chronic itch. He has done so through both basic scientific investigation and the design of clinical trials.

The concept of ‘innate immunity’ is worth noting here. Innate immunity refers to nonspecific defense mechanisms that come into play immediately or within hours of a pathogen's appearance in the body. These mechanisms include physical barriers such as skin, factors in the blood, and immune cells that attack foreign organisms in the body. Consequently, if the human body is invaded by foreign agents, this rapid and ancient defense mechanism confronts them. Primarily, this is sorted out through innate immunity itself. However, if this fails, there is also the adaptive immune system which can recognize specific components of pathogens and aid sin host defense as well. When these systems react inappropriately, diseases like eczema can occur.

There is no absolute cure for eczema. However, treatment to control it can involve a thoughtful skincare regimen including over-the-counter products as well as topical or systemic corticosteroids. In more resistant or severe cases, treatment can include the use of immunosuppressive therapies such as methotrexate, cyclosporine, azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil. In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a biologic called dupilumab, which is given by injection and targets the inflammation from the inside-out. It is currently the only FDA-approved biologic medication for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Possible aggravators of atopic dermatitis may include allergic reactions to allergens, dry skin, irritating chemicals, and infections with bacteria and viruses.