14 DAY TRIAL // A new discovery made by scientists inspires millions of people suffering from skin conditions with hope for new, better treatment. Experts from the University of Dundee have found the gene that causes dry skin, predisposing people to eczema and asthma.
The gene produces a protein that helps the skin form a protective outer barrier. According to the researchers who made the discovery, the gene produces the protein called filaggrin, which helps the skin keep water and foreign organisms out. All genes come in pairs, so the degree of disability depends on the presence of one or two defective copies.
Around 10% of the population has a single defective copy, which leads to dry and flaky skin. The people with 2 defective genes, about 1 in 500, have no filaggrin produced and develop a severe and persistent disease called ichthyosis vulgaris.
Year-long observations suggested a strong link between eczema, allergies and asthma. A child which has one of these diseases has or is likely to develop the others. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for conditions that affect millions of people.
"It was a really tough project, but because we had experience in this type of gene, we managed to crack it where others had failed," said Professor Irwin McLean, of Dundee University's human genetics department.
"We see this as the dawn of a new era in the understanding and treatment of eczema and the type of asthma that goes with eczema as well. Now we know exactly where the fire is underneath and we can put the hoses in there and hopefully tackle the cause of the problem properly," he added.