RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Characterisation of Skin Microstructure Under Normal and Atrophied States

This study aims to understand the tiny structures of healthy skin and how these might be different in people with eczema (atopic dermatitis) who have used steroid creams for extended periods. Eczema affects many people in the UK, causing discomfort and impacting daily life. While steroid creams are a common treatment, long-term use can sometimes lead to skin thinning. Researchers will use a gentle, non-invasive light imaging technique, similar to ultrasound, to get detailed pictures of the skin. This will help them learn more about how age, sex, and ethnicity affect normal skin, and how eczema and its treatments change skin over time. The goal is to provide better information for doctors to make treatment choices in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

180

Start

16 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2025

Atopic Dermatitis

What is this study about?

Many people in the UK experience skin conditions like eczema, which can be challenging to live with. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects almost 20% of children and 10% of adults. It can cause a lot of discomfort and affect your quality of life. While there's no cure for eczema, treatments like topical corticosteroids (steroid creams) are often used to manage symptoms and keep the condition under control.

These steroid creams are very effective, but using them for a long time or incorrectly can sometimes lead to unwanted effects, such as skin becoming thinner. This study wants to understand exactly how healthy skin is built at a tiny level, and then compare that to the skin of people with eczema who have used steroid creams. We want to see how age, sex, and ethnic background might influence healthy skin structure, and how these structures change when someone has eczema and uses these common treatments.

To do this, researchers will use a special camera that uses light to look inside the skin, called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). It's a bit like an ultrasound but uses light instead of sound, allowing for very detailed pictures without touching your skin. By taking these non-invasive pictures, the study hopes to get real-world insights into the long-term effects of steroid creams and how skin changes. This information could help doctors make more informed decisions about treatment plans for eczema in the future, improving care for patients.

Key takeaways

This study is researching healthy skin and skin affected by eczema.
It aims to understand how long-term steroid cream use can affect skin structure.
A safe, non-invasive light scan (OCT) will be used to look at the skin.
The findings could help doctors make better treatment decisions for eczema.
Both healthy volunteers and people with well-controlled eczema are needed.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for both healthy volunteers and people with eczema (atopic dermatitis).

If you have eczema, you might be able to join if you've been diagnosed with eczema, have had signs of it recently (within the last 3 months), but your eczema is currently well controlled (clear or almost clear). You also need to have used steroid creams for at least 3 months within the last 6 months.

For both healthy volunteers and those with eczema, you need to be aged 6 months or older and able to read and understand English. You also shouldn't have any skin problems like severe acne, sunburn, birthmarks, tattoos, or dense hair on the specific areas of skin that will be measured. If you've been in another medical study recently, or if you've used certain medications that might affect the study scans, you might not be able to participate. For healthy volunteers, you shouldn't have used steroid creams in the last 6 months (unless it was hydrocortisone for a short time, not on the areas being studied).

Quick self-check

I am at least 6 months old.
I understand English and can give permission to take part.
If I have eczema, it is mostly clear/well-controlled, and I've used steroid creams for at least 3 months recently.
The skin areas to be scanned are clear of active eczema, tattoos, or other major skin conditions.
I'm not currently in another medical trial.

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will have your skin scanned using a special light camera called OCT. This machine generates detailed images of your skin without touching it. It's similar to getting a photograph but it looks beneath the surface. You will be asked about your health and medical history, especially concerning your skin and any medications you use. The study aims to understand skin structure under different conditions, so there are no medications involved as part of the study; it focuses purely on imaging your skin. We expect the commitment to be just one visit for most participants, where the scans will be taken. The total duration of your involvement will be limited to this single visit.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help us better understand eczema and the effects of its treatments, which might lead to improved care for patients in the future. The skin scanning procedure itself is non-invasive and generally considered very safe, as it uses light and doesn't involve needles or radiation. There are no known direct medical benefits to you personally from taking part in this specific study, but your contribution is valuable scientific information. As with any study, you are free to withdraw at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Sheffield, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is eczema?

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that makes your skin red, itchy, and dry. It's not infectious.

What is a steroid cream?

Steroid creams (topical corticosteroids) are medications applied to the skin to reduce inflammation, redness, and itching from conditions like eczema.

How will you look at my skin?

Researchers will use a special light camera called OCT. It's a non-invasive scan that takes detailed pictures of the skin's layers without touching it, similar to an ultrasound.

Will I have to take any medication for the study?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medications. It only involves scanning your skin to understand its structure.

How long will my involvement in the study last?

Your participation will likely involve only one visit for the skin scans and will not require long-term follow-up.

How to find out more

Haleema AlFailakawi, MD

hhalfailakawi1@sheffield.ac.uk 01142159539 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.