Scientists are currently investigating whether installing a water softener in your home can relieve children’s eczema symptoms. Eczema affects up to 20% of children in the UK.
The Department of Health-backed study, which began in 2007 and will run until summer 2009, will also look at the differing effects of hard and soft water on the condition which causes dry and itchy skin.
Eczema has been reported to be more common in hard-water areas but it is not understood why that might be.
Eight research centres are involved, with just over 230 children having already taken part. The children, or their parents, are asked to complete a daily diary to record eczema symptoms and are issued with a small computerised wristband to monitor their level of night-scratching while they are asleep.
The families have the water softener installed at home for 12 weeks. It is then removed for four weeks to establish any changes in skin condition. The children continue to use their normal eczema treatment throughout the study.
Anne-Marie Crawford-Flanagan from Portsmouth has just finished taking part in the trial with her 15-month-old son Dylan, who first developed eczema when he was about three months old. As his symptoms became increasingly serious the family tried many solutions including oils, creams and body suits, with minimal results.
However, using the water softener led to rapid and significant benefits. Ms Crawford-Flanagan explained, “less than two weeks after the softener was installed there was a dramatic improvement. Now there’s barely a mark on him.
When the softener was removed, Dylan’s eczema started to return so the family bought its own device.
Professor Tara Dean of Portsmouth University, one of the experts co-ordinating the study, said: “If water softeners are found to improve the symptoms of eczema it will be a breakthrough for both patients and doctors.”
Margaret Cox, chief executive of the National Eczema Society, said she looked forward to having the evidence to be able to advise families if using a softener would help. She stated: “Anecdotally there are years of reports of people saying soft or softened water was helpful.”
Ms Cox said the suggestion was that soft water was better to wash with, and therefore needed less soap or detergent, which are irritants for people with eczema.
Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7820081.stm
Additional advantages of using less soap and detergent are the environmental benefits and the cost savings for the household budget.
If you are interested in installing a water softener in your home, then please contact Chez-Vous Property Services on 0118 9770215.
For all your plumbing, heating and electrical needs in Berkshire: www.ServicesForProperty.co.uk
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