(BPT) - When many people think of eczema, they usually picture mild, itchy rashes on the skin. However, for those living with moderate-to-severe forms of the disease, daily activities can become more difficult due to recurrent signs and symptoms such as intense, persistent itching and dry, irritated, itchy rashes that can crack or ooze.
Danielle Jonas, businesswoman, children's book author and wife of Kevin Jonas of the band the Jonas Brothers, has been living with moderate eczema and is ready to share her experience for the first time, and her journey to getting control of her symptoms. Danielle is partnering with Sanofi and Regeneron to help empower those living with moderate-to-severe eczema to feel comfortable with their own skin and is sharing some of her favorite tips that have helped her manage her own symptoms.
If you or your loved one are living with eczema that's moderate or severe, keep reading below for inspiration from Danielle Jonas on how to be your own advocate.
1. Understand Your Signs and Symptoms
Danielle first noticed signs of moderate eczema after the birth of her second child, when she noticed a burning, itchy sensation on her scalp. She recalls how her symptoms progressed. 'Eczema can appear on different parts of the body, but in my case, my scalp got so irritated, I couldn't even move my hair without this burning, itchy feeling,' she said. 'Some daily activities became difficult for me - even showering was hard because of the rashes on my head.'
Eczema signs and symptoms can be characterized by near-constant itching and dry, irritated, itchy rashes that can appear red, purple, gray or brown depending on skin tone. Scratching can lead to scarring and discoloration of the skin.. It's important for people with moderate-to-severe eczema to understand these symptoms and know when to seek medical advice from an eczema specialist.
2. Confide in Your Support System
If you, or someone you love, are living with moderate-to-severe eczema, it's important to know that you're not alone. Building a good support system, inclusive of your family, friends, eczema support groups and healthcare provider, can be an effective step toward learning more about your symptoms and how to manage them.
For Danielle, she remembers how her eczema symptoms affected her, 'My skin felt so uncomfortable, I would try to find ways to get out of attending events, like joining my husband on tour,' she said. She realized, though, how taking time for the people and things she loves, like playing dress up with her daughters and watching romantic comedies with her husband, helped keep her mind off her symptoms for certain periods of time.
Danielle knows from personal experience how speaking with trusted individuals can also further your eczema journey for the better. 'I was on this cycle trying different topical and prescription treatments and different doctors, until I finally found an eczema specialist that took my concerns seriously,' she said. 'She was the one who opened my eyes about eczema being a chronic, inflammatory disease.'
3. Finding a Treatment Plan That Works for You
Danielle had seen multiple doctors and tried various treatments, including prescription topicals and others, before an eczema specialist suggested she try Dupixent (dupilumab).
Dupixent is a biologic treatment for people ages 6 months and older with moderate-to-severe eczema that is not well-controlled with topical prescription therapies, or who cannot use topical therapies. People shouldn't use Dupixent if they are allergic to it or its ingredients. Serious side effects include allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, eye problems and joint aches and pain. Please see Important Safety Information below.
Dupixent works by targeting a key source of inflammation inside the body, to help reduce itch and rashes. It is the only biologic medicine approved to treat moderate-to-severe eczema from infancy to adulthood.
After starting Dupixent, Danielle experienced less itching and clearer skin. 'When I first realized Dupixent was working, I ran down the stairs crying with joy to tell my husband. I had just finished blow drying my hair, and I didn't have as much of the same burning itch that I had before,' she said. 'My journey is still ongoing - some days are better than others, but I am grateful to be more comfortable with my skin and I'm relieved that I found something that works for me. Everyone's experiences are different, so talk to your eczema specialist about treatment options.'
Dupixent can help adult patients with moderate-to-severe eczema achieve clearer skin and less itch. In two clinical trials at 16 weeks, adults on Dupixent had clear or almost clear skin (37% compared to 9% not taking Dupixent) and significant itch reduction (38% compared to 11% not taking Dupixent).
The most common side effects in patients with eczema include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).
Visit ShowUpAD.com to see more inspiring stories like Danielle's, and to learn more about Dupixent and access the full Prescribing Information.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have eye problems.
- have a parasitic (helminth) infection.
- are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a 'live vaccine' right before and during treatment with DUPIXENT.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby.
- A pregnancy registry for women who take DUPIXENT during pregnancy collects information about the health of you and your baby. To enroll or get more information call 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/dupixent/.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking oral, topical or inhaled corticosteroid medicines or if you have atopic dermatitis and asthma and use an asthma medicine. Do not change or stop your corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine to come back.
DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:
- Allergic reactions. DUPIXENT can cause allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms: breathing problems or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, fast pulse, fever, hives, joint pain, general ill feeling, itching, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, nausea or vomiting, or cramps in your stomach-area.
- Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision, such as blurred vision. Your healthcare provider may send you to an ophthalmologist for an eye exam if needed.
- Joint aches and pain. Some people who use DUPIXENT have had trouble walking or moving due to their joint symptoms, and in some cases needed to be hospitalized. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or worsening joint symptoms. Your healthcare provider may stop DUPIXENT if you develop joint symptoms.
The most common side effects in patients with eczema include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It's an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your healthcare provider will decide if you or your caregiver can inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to prepare and inject DUPIXENT until you or your caregiver have been trained by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it's recommended DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. In children 6 months to less than 12 years of age, DUPIXENT should be given by a caregiver.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
INDICATION
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
US.DUP.23.09.0012
