Creams Used to Treat Eczema Could Make It Worse, Study Suggests
研究表明使用潤膚膏治療濕疹可能使病情加重
ScienceDaily (Nov. 13, 2010) — New research at the University of Bath suggests that using emollient creams to relieve the symptoms of eczema could actually make the condition worse.
每日科學(xué)（2010年11月13日）--Bath大學(xué)一項(xiàng)新研究表明使用潤膚膏緩解濕疹癥狀，實(shí)際上可能會加重病情
The researchers, from the University's Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, have published a study in the British Journal of Dermatology showing that aqueous cream BP reduces the thickness of healthy skin over a period of four weeks, calling into question whether the cream should be used for treating eczema.
來自Bath大學(xué)藥學(xué)和藥理學(xué)部的研究人員已將該研究發(fā)表在英國皮膚病學(xué)雜志上，這一研究表明使用親水乳膏BP四周，可減低健康皮膚的厚度，引發(fā)是否這種藥膏應(yīng)當(dāng)用于治療濕疹的討論。
Originally used as a wash product, aqueous cream BP is currently the most widely prescribed emollient for the treatment of dry skin conditions. It is used to moisturise the skin, improving flexibility and preventing cracking in the protective outer layer, called the stratum corneum.
起初用作一種洗衣產(chǎn)品，親水乳膏BP目前是最常用的緩解皮膚干燥癥狀的潤膚劑，它可以濕潤皮膚，改善皮膚彈力，預(yù)防角質(zhì)層干裂
However, the cream contains a detergent, called sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which can increase the permeability of the skin barrier and cause irritation.
然而這種乳膏含有一種去垢劑，SLS，可增加皮膚屏障的通透性，進(jìn)而引發(fā)炎癥
The study found that when healthy volunteers applied the cream to their forearms daily for a period of four weeks, the thickness of the stratum corneum was reduced by more than ten per cent.
這項(xiàng)研究發(fā)現(xiàn)健康志愿者每天將這種制劑用于前臂連續(xù)四周，角質(zhì)層厚度可以降低10%
The researchers anticipate that using this cream would have an even more dramatic effect on damaged skin such as that found in eczema.
研究人員希望使用這種制劑可以對受損皮膚（如濕疹）帶來更大的影響
Richard Guy, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University and Project Supervisor, explained: "The skin has a protective barrier layer of lipids, around one eighth the thickness of a sheet of paper, that stops chemicals from getting into the body and keeps moisture in.
Richard Guy教授說：皮膚具有一層保護(hù)性脂質(zhì)，大約是一張紙厚度的八分之一，正是這一層脂質(zhì)阻止化學(xué)物質(zhì)進(jìn)入體內(nèi)，并保持水份。
"SLS is a detergent used to mix oils into water-based moisturisation creams to give a nice creamy texture. It's also used widely in shower gels and other cosmetics.
SLS是一種去垢劑，用于將油和水性潤膚乳混合后呈乳狀，廣泛用于沐浴乳和其他化妝品
"Our study has found that rubbing aqueous cream containing SLS into the skin thins this protective barrier, making the skin more susceptible to irritation by chemicals.
我們的研究發(fā)現(xiàn)這種含SLS的水性乳劑進(jìn)入皮膚后可降低皮膚保護(hù)層厚度，使皮膚更易受到化學(xué)物質(zhì)的刺激
"So to use this cream on eczemous skin, which is already thin and vulnerable to irritation, is likely to make the condition even worse."
由于濕疹的皮膚一般較正常薄且易受刺激，因此將此藥用于濕疹，可能會加劇病情。
Postgraduate researcher Manda Tsang worked on the project as part of her PhD CASE studentship funded by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council with York Pharma Plc.
這一項(xiàng)目曾為Manda Tsang（目前為博士后）提供部分博士獎學(xué)金（資金由Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council with York Pharma Plc提供）
Tsang said: "Eczema affects around 30 per cent of the population, an increase from around five per cent a generation ago.
Tsang說：濕疹目前影響著大約30%人群，而一代人以前這一比率是5%
"This is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as central heating and carpets that can encourage dust mites, and using more creams and cosmetics that can thin the skin if used too frequently.
這是由于遺傳和環(huán)境因素的共同作用，如中央供熱和地毯可能加劇塵螨的滋生，過多過頻的使用化妝品或藥膏使皮膚變薄
"Our study suggests that it might be better for eczema patients to use oil-based ointments on damaged skin."
我們的研究表明濕疹患者可能最好使用油性軟膏
Editor's Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
