Compensation success for ex machine driver

An ex machine driver won his compensation claim against a former employer after he developed dermatitis at work.



James Quinn, from Leeds, developed the rash on his hands due to coming into regular contact with diesel, hydraulic and engine oils, along with lubricant grease, while employed by Mone Brothers Civil Engineering Ltd from 1985 – 2004.

Mr Quinn alleged that the cause of the dermatitis was his ex employer’s negligence in not supplying adequate washing facilities or personal protective equipment at work.

Lee Carnell, representing the claimant, advised that employers should realise the risk in exposing their employees to harmful substances. He added: “This skin condition caused [Mr Quinn] unnecessary discomfort and it the correct preventative measures were taken then this would never have occurred”

Mr Quinn said: “I worked for Mone Brothers for almost 20 years and in this time there were not many sites where there were washing facilities. I am happy to be compensated for the dermatitis in which I had no control over developing.”

source:www.legal-medical.co.uk

Cytos Biotechnology says allergy drug trials succeed

Cytos Biotechnology AG said trials of a treatment for allergic diseases such as dermatitis had been successful.

Cytos said a phase IIa study involving the use of CYT003-QbG10 on 36 patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis had shown it was safe and generally well tolerated.

Cytos chief executive Wolfgang Renner said the company is still identifying the best treatment parameters for the drug's application as a monotherapy, although it had shown strong efficacy in conjunction with a specific allergen in patients with house dust mite allergy.

'This monotherapy has achieved first promising results in grass pollen and also house dust mite allergy,' Renner said.
For the latter indication, we are now testing higher doses of the product candidate. Based on the outcome of these studies, we will then also consider the path forward in atopic dermatitis.'

souce:www.forbes.com

Cytos Biotechnology Reports Results from Phase IIa Study with CYT003-QbG10 in Patients Suffering from Atopic Dermatitis

Cytos Biotechnology AG (SWX:CYTN) announced today results from a phase IIa study with CYT003-QbG10 in atopic dermatitis. CYT003-QbG10 is an immunotherapeutic product candidate currently in development for the treatment of allergic diseases. The present study aimed to assess safety, tolerability and exploratory efficacy of the product candidate in a new indication, namely atopic dermatitis. The study was designed as a placebo-controlled, randomized and double-blind trial in 36 patients suffering from mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD). Exploratory efficacy was determined according to the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), a commonly applied test to assess the extent and severity of AD.

Treatment with CYT003-QbG10 was safe and generally well tolerated. In both the placebo-treated and CYT003-QbG10-treated groups a similar reduction of the EASI scores was measured over the study period indicating no treatment effect for CYT003-QbG10 in atopic dermatitis at the dose level tested in this trial.

Dr. Wolfgang Renner, CEO of Cytos Biotechnology, commented: “While CYT003-QbG10 has shown strong efficacy in conjunction with a specific allergen in patients with house dust mite allergy, we are still in the process of identifying the best treatment parameters for its application as a monotherapy. This monotherapy has achieved first promising results in grass pollen and also house dust mite allergy. For the latter indication we are now testing higher doses of the product candidate. Based on the outcome of these studies we will then also consider the path forward in atopic dermatitis.”

About the phase IIa study
The randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled phase IIa study included 36 male and female patients aged 18 to 65 and suffering from mild to moderate AD. Upon entry into the study, the extent and severity of the disease was assessed by the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI), a commonly applied test for AD. The study participants were randomized into two treatment groups with 18 patients each and received 6 weekly subcutaneous injections of either 300 ?g CYT003-QbG10 or placebo. Two weeks after the last dose, the disease status of the patients was again assessed by the EASI.

About allergic diseases and atopic dermatitis
Allergy as a whole is a multi-faceted disease and clinically manifests in various allergic disorders including allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis and food hypersensitivity. On the immunological level, so called T helper 2-type (Th2) immune responses are considered crucial for the initiation and maintenance of allergy. The prevalence of allergic diseases has dramatically increased over the last decades, especially in industrialized countries. It is estimated that today more than 20% of the world population suffers from allergic diseases1.

AD is a certain type of eczema. It is a common chronic skin disease considered to be linked to an “allergic” Th2 type immune status of the patients. It most often begins in infancy and an estimated 20% of infants and young children experience disease symptoms. Roughly 60% of those continue to have AD also in adulthood2. Children with AD are at greater risk for developing other allergic diseases like rhinitis or asthma later in life. AD is characterized by a hypersensitivity reaction occurring in the skin that causes chronic inflammation and renders the skin dry, itchy and scaly. Irritants (e.g. wool, soap), allergens and emotional stress exacerbate disease symptoms and further trigger the overactive immune system. There is no cure available. Current medications such as immunomodulators, corticosteroids or antihistamines address disease symptoms only and may be associated with sideeffects, especially upon long-term use.

About CYT003-QbG10
CYT003-QbG10 is an immunotherapeutic product in development for the treatment of allergic diseases. It consists of the Immunodrug™ QbG10 which is comprised of the virus-like particle Qb filled with a synthetic immunostimulatory DNA sequence called G10. CYT003-QbG10 is designed as a disease-modifying treatment and aims to induce a potent Th1 type immune response in order to suppress an “allergic” Th2 type immune response. An open-label phase IIa study with CYT003-QbG10 combined with an allergen extract of house dust mites at a standard dose showed excellent longterm efficacy in patients allergic to dust mites. Furthermore, two placebo-controlled phase IIa
studies with CYT003-QbG10 monotherapy delivered positive results in patients suffering from grass pollen and house dust mite allergy.

For further information please contact: Cytos Biotechnology AG, Wagistrasse 25, CH-8952 Schlieren (Zurich)
Dr. Claudine Blaser
Director Corporate Communications
Phone: +41 44 733 47 20
Fax: +41 44 733 47 18
e-Mail: claudine.blaser@cytos.com
Website: www.cytos.com

About Cytos Biotechnology
Cytos Biotechnology AG is a public Swiss biotechnology company that specializes in the discovery, development and commercialization of a new class of biopharmaceutical products – the Immunodrugs™. Immunodrugs™ are intended for use in the treatment and prevention of common chronic diseases, which afflict millions of people worldwide. Immunodrugs™ are designed to instruct the patient’s immune system to produce desired therapeutic antibody or T cell responses that modulate chronic disease processes. Taking advantage of the high flexibility of its Immunodrug™ platform, Cytos Biotechnology has built a full pipeline of different Immunodrug™ candidates in various disease areas, of which 6 are currently in clinical development. The Immunodrug™ candidates are developed both in-house and together with Novartis and Pfizer Animal Health. Founded in 1995 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, the company is located in Schlieren (Zurich). Currently, the company has 129 employees. Cytos Biotechnology AG has been listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange (SWX:CYTN) since October 2002.

References
1 Prevention of Allergy and Allergic Asthma (2003), World Health Organization (WHO).
2 Atopic Dermatitis (2003), National Institutes of Health, Publication No. 03-4272.

Glossary
Atopic dermatitis: a chronic skin disease; a certain type of eczema. Is accompanied by an inherited tendency to develop allergic diseases.
Disease-modifying: in contrast to symptomatic treatment, a disease-modifying treatment aims at addressing the cause of disease and to modify disease progression.
DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; genetic information of an organism.
Double-blind: a set-up often applied in clinical trials where neither the doctor nor the patient knows if placebo or the active drug substance is applied.
EASI: Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), a commonly applied test to assess the extent and severity of AD.
Hypersensitivity: an excessive immune reaction. Immunotherapeutic: a product aimed at activation of the immune system to modify and interfere with a certain disease process.
Monotherapy: treatment with one drug as opposed to combination therapy. Here the term refers to treatment with CYT003-QbG10 alone in contrast to a regimen where CYT003-QbG10 is combined to an allergen extract (i.e. CYT005-AllQbG10).
Phase IIa: a clinical trial that examines a new drug candidate’s safety and exploratory efficacy and may include
between 10 and 100 patients.
Placebo: dummy medical treatment.
QbG10: Cytos Biotechnology’s Immunodrug™ Qb filled with the immunostimulatory DNA sequence G10.
Randomized: random assignation of clinical trial participants to different treatment groups.
Th1 and Th2 type immune responses: describe T helper cell responses. T helper cells are a subset of T cells that
secrete a variety of mediators (cytokines) playing a role for other immune cells. A Th1 type immune response is
usually induced by viral or bacterial infection, or also by potent vaccination / immunotherapy. A Th2 type
immune response usually manifests an allergic reaction.

This foregoing press release may contain forward-looking statements that include words or phrases such as “will”, “considered to”,
“designed at”, “aimed to”, “determined to”, “intend” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a
variety of significant uncertainties, including scientific, business, economic and financial factors, and therefore actual results may differ
significantly from those presented. There can be no assurance that any further therapeutic entities will enter clinical trials, that clinical
trial results will be predictive for future results, that therapeutic entities will be the subject of filings for regulatory approval, that any
drug candidates will receive marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or equivalent regulatory authorities, or that
drugs will be marketed successfully. Against the background of these uncertainties readers should not rely on forward-looking statements.
The company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements or adapt them to future events or developments. This
document does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe or purchase any securities of Cytos Biotechnology AG.

source:www.medadnews.com

Atopic dermatitis safety concerns affect drug sales

Novartis' Elidel, a topical calcineurin inhibitor, initially enjoyed high sales in atopic dermatitis due to its good side effect profile and effective marketing campaign. However, the brand has been in steady decline since fears of a theoretical malignancy risk arose in 2004. The FDA subsequently imposed a black box warning for Elidel and Astellas' rival product Protopic, despite the fact that the concerns were was based on theoretical risk and not on clinical evidence. According to company reported data, total global sales of Elidel fell 23% from 2004 to 2005, managing only $270 million. The Novartis end-of-year report for 2006 indicated that full-year sales of Elidel had fallen further to $179 million.


source;www.pharmaceutical-business-review.com

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is one of the things to consider with hair loss and variations on the scalp. Aging, diseases or other disorders are some reasons for occurring of hair loss. To ensure that it is not a more severe complication when one begins to develop the hair loss, they will want to make research. It should be treated continuously and as soon as possible when one leads to hair loss since it is a common inherited disorder affecting so many people.

Change in skin texture

Seborrheic dermatitis is also known as dandruff, eczema or cradle cap. The change in skin texture on you scalp is result of this. This will comprise either greasy or oily areas over the scalp or white flakes that are impending on your scalp. There is also itching and redness that will the affect in variety of areas of the scalp many times. It will also result in hair loss based on the condition of this specific scalp.
It is vital to find a treatment for it, if you have found any of these symptoms that are connected to seborrheic dermatitis. Usually, you can discover a medicated shampoo that is applied directly onto the scalp area and will vary the balance of the skin on your scalp. Depending on the shampoo you are using, it will contain a diverse of ingredients that will help. In order to avoid seborrheic dermatitis you can get a prescribed medication from a health care provider if this doesn’t alter the symptoms. These shampoos will comprise medications such as salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin and selenium. The approved medications will have stronger amounts of these ingredients in them, as well as added ketoconazole and corticosteroids. To get your scalp back to the usual condition you can also massage your head. For children who are dealing with seborrheic dermatitis this is especially effective.

Prevention of Seborrheic Dermatitis

Though seborrheic dermatitis cannot easily be prevented, it can easily be treated with the right shampoos and care for the hair. It may possible to experience the symptoms again if you once developed the symptoms. To prevent the problem you will need to continue to make use of the shampoos that are having medication in them and take the necessary measures. Seborrheic dermatitis is known as an inherited problem with the scalp. This is one of the reasons why it can’t be prevented. Many treatment options are available.

If you are dealing with a discrepancy in your scalp area, it could be linked with the scalp disorder of seborrheic dermatitis. You can able to treat your hair and get you scalp back and help it look healthy by understanding what seborrheic dermatitis is, as well as finding the right treatment. Continuous occurring of hair loss can be prevented by treating this disorder. You can consult a health care provider about possible treatments, if you are having a difficult time from preventing this problem. Approaching seborrheic dermatitis and knowing how to treat the difficulty will help you in maintaining a healthy scalp and hair.

source;www.americanchronicle.com

Why does my cat keep scooting?

A. Scooting — dragging the anus along the ground — looks silly, but isn't always a sign of problems, especially if your cat does it only now and then, according to "Prevention's Symptom Solver for Dogs & Cats" edited by Matthew Hoffman. Dogs and cats will sometimes scoot to clean themselves or relieve temporary irritation.

When it is a problem, it's an indicator of itching, which can be caused by sores, tumors, dermatitis, tapeworms and other parasites, veterinarians say.
While your cat may have checked out fine before, he could have picked up tapeworms on a recent prowl. A closer inspection will show small white specks in the stool or around the anus. Tapeworms, which are transmitted by fleas, require treatment by a vet. That usually includes oral and possibly topical medications along with a comprehensive flea eradication program.

source:www.southbendtribune.com

People with eczema, contact dermatitis and other allergic skin conditions are celebrating a recent scientific breakthrough in the manufacture of silk

People with eczema, contact dermatitis and other allergic skin conditions are celebrating a recent scientific breakthrough in the manufacture of silk clothing. DermaSilk® Therapeutic Clothing has been shown in published clinical trials to be more effective than traditional cotton clothing in helping to reduce the itching and scratching symptoms so often associated with these conditions, plus they also help speed up the overall healing process.

Espère Healthcare Ltd is the exclusive distributor for DermaSilk in the UK & Ireland and is+- now also responsible for marketing the product in the USA and Canada. Since September, Espère has seen a steady and progressive growth in DermaSilk online and mail order sales of approximately 30 per cent each month.

So how does DermaSilk work? The garments are made in Italy from a modified knitted silk fabric impregnated with a ‘microbe shield’, a physical anti-microbial which is used to protect operating theatre fabrics from bacterial contamination. As with the silk in surgical sutures, DermaSilk uses a hypo-allergenic sericin-free fibre, and the anti-microbial qualities are permanently bonded into the silk – in other words, they will not leach out of the fabric, even when washed more than 50 times!

The garments are designed to be as close to a ‘second skin’ as possible, and the range, which includes gloves, vests, pants, bodysuits and leggings, comes in all shapes and sizes for babies, children and adults. Espère Healthcare’s co-director Chris Steeples observes, “Although most people think of cotton as the natural choice for eczema and other allergic skin conditions, cotton material is actually made up of short fibres which when damp can twist and break, thus irritating the skin. By contrast, pure silk is spun into continuous lengths of up to 800 metres, and the fibres are smooth and cylindrical, causing far less itch.”

The garments are knitted into an open weave which helps to improve the temperature and moisture regulating qualities of the silk. This is very important, because one of the factors which can seriously cause irritation to the skin is excess moisture. Cotton can only absorb about 10 per cent of its own weight, whereas silk can absorb up to 30 per cent. Chris explains, “Even people who don’t even have eczema are very interested in this special clothing because, for example, the socks can keep your feet fresh and cool all day. Just right for busy people who are on their feet all day.”

DermaSilk also has valuable health & safety applications in industries where contact dermatitis is seen as an increasing problem. Hairdressers, for example, whose hands are continually exposed to chemical dyes and perming lotions; nurses and other medical professionals who find that the traditional barrier cream does not sufficiently protect their skin – in these cases the specially designed DermaSilk gloves have been found to provide much needed relief for sore, dry and itchy hands.

There are approximately 3 million eczema sufferers in the UK, and one in five children have the condition. Comments Chris, “I don’t want to overstate the point, but this really is life-changing stuff! We’ve had parents whose children have eczema contact us to say that their whole family life has improved because their child no longer itches, is calmer by day, sleeps better at night, and is generally happier and more confident about themselves. Eczema and other skin allergies can be such miserable conditions, so that’s why we’re delighted to offer a genuine alternative to steroid creams and emollients.”

source:www.healthcarerepublic.com

What is work related contact dermatitis?

The main signs and symptoms are:
Dryness
Redness
Itching
Flaking/Scaling
Cracking/Blistering
Pain
What does dermatitis look like? See this photo gallery
Dermatitis is not ‘catching’- it can’t be passed from one person to another. It can develop at any time, or not at all - everyone is different.
There are two types of contact dermatitis: irritant contact dermatitis & allergic contact dermatitis.
Irritant contact dermatitis can flare up after a few contacts with strong chemicals like bleach. More commonly it develops gradually through frequent wet working or working with milder chemicals like shampoo.
Allergic contact dermatitis can develop quickly after only a few contacts with a substance like shampoos or colours. Sometimes it can take months or even years for the allergy to develop. Once you are allergic, you are allergic for life and this could happen at any time, even if you have had no problems previously in your career.
With allergic contact dermatitis, the things you can become allergic to at work might well also be in things you use at home - like your shampoo, or your household cleaners. So if you become allergic to something in the salon it could well affect all aspects of your life.
source:www.hse.gov.uk

Dermatitis, Irritant Contact

What is occupational irritant contact dermatitis?
Dermatitis is a localized inflammation of the skin. In general, inflammation refers to a condition in the body when it is trying to react to a localized injury of tissues. Signs of inflammation include some or all of the following: redness, heat, swelling, pain.
Occupational irritant contact dermatitis is an inflammation caused by substances found in the workplace that come in direct contact with the skin. Signs of irritant contact dermatitis include redness of the skin, blisters, scales or crusts. These symptoms do not necessarily occur at the same time or in all cases. This kind of dermatitis is caused by chemicals that are irritating (e.g., acids, bases, fat-dissolving solvents) to the skin and is localized to the area of contact.
Another kind of contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, is different because it is an allergic response to skin contact with some allergy-causing material (e.g., poison ivy). Another difference is that allergic dermatitis can occur in other places on the body that did not come in contact with the allergy-causing material.

How does irritant contact dermatitis develop?
In the workplace, irritant contact dermatitis can develop after a short, heavy exposure or a repeated or prolonged, low exposure to a substance. The appearance of irritant contact dermatitis varies considerably according to the conditions of exposure. For example, an accidental contact with a strong irritant causes immediate blisters. Contact with a mild irritant may only produce redness of the skin. However, if the irritation continues, small lesions or sores appear on the reddened area; afterwards crusts and scales form. The skin damage usually heals a few weeks after exposure ends if no complications have arisen (e.g., no infections occurred).
The irritant action of a substance depends on its ability to change some properties of the outer layer of the skin that acts as a protective barrier against toxic substances. Among other changes, some substances can remove skin oils and moisture from the outer layer of the skin. This reduces the protective action of the skin and increases the ability of irritants to enter or infiltrate the skin. The removal of fat or fat-like material from the skin is also responsible for the dryness, cracking and whitening of the skin.
To produce the damage, the irritant substance must infiltrate the outer layer of the skin. Following infiltration, the substance comes into contact with cells and tissues. The substance also reacts with certain chemicals naturally present (endogenous) in cells and tissues. These reactions produce skin damage. The body's first reaction to the damage is a localized acute inflammation. The cells and tissues try to repair the damage and set up a defensive response to remove the invading material causing the damage. During the body's defensive response phase, a person may experience pain, warmth, redness and swelling in the irritated area.
Minimal skin damage, as in the thickening of the inner layer of the skin, will not be visible. However, when the damage is severe, the skin shows signs of chapping, scaling, and blistering. Some skin cells also die. Typically, an irritant reaction develops within a few hours from exposure and is at its worst after approximately twenty-four hours.

What are factors contributing to irritant contact dermatitis?
Factors contributing to irritation include
the chemical properties of the substance (for example, is it an acid, an alkali, or a salt),
the amount and concentration of chemical coming in contact with the skin, and
the length and frequency of the exposure.
Factors peculiar to individual workers are also important. Hereditary factors influence the variety of reactions seen in different persons when exposed to the same irritant.
The part of the body that comes in contact with an irritant substance is another factor to remember. The penetration of substances varies over different body regions. For example, some substances penetrate the face and the upper back more quickly than the arms.
Environmental factors play a significant role. For example, hot, humid workplaces cause workers to sweat. Sweat can dissolve some types of industrial chemical powders that may come in contact with the skin. This increases their toxic or irritant effects of the chemicals because solutions penetrate the skin more readily than solids. On the other hand, sweating may also have a protective function because it may dilute or wash out substances. Working where the air humidity is low or where the skin is wet for prolonged and repeated periods can cause chapping of the skin that, in turn, can increase the possibility of irritation.
Friction against the skin, occurring while operating grinding machines and other equipment can scrape away the skin, reducing its protective action against irritants. Clothing soaked with irritants is another important factor. Cuts or skin injuries enable irritant substances to penetrate the skin more readily. Table 1 summarizes some factors that contribute to skin irritation.

source:www.ccohs.ca

Definition Dermatitis

Definition
Dermatitis is an inflammation of the dermis and epidermis (the skin). Symptoms include a rash, blisters, sores, lesions, itching or cracked skin.
The term eczema is also used for this condition.

Dermatitis is often broken into subcategories:
1. Contact dermatitis - irritation that arises from direct contact with a material. This can be an immune response (such as an allergic reaction to latex) or a direct toxic effect.
2. Atopic dermatitis - is often found in the face, elbow and knee flexures of infants; symptoms tend to disappear with age.
Do not confuse this term with dermatosis, which is a much broader term for skin disease.

Dermatitis

DO you have severe inflammation of the skin, usually with redness, swelling, oozing, crusting or scaling of lesions which are usually itchy? Do you suffer from small vesicles or bubbles on your skin? Then you may be suffering from Dermatitis!
Do you know that the terms eczema and dermatitis are generally used as similar terms for this condition? Eczema may take the form of contact dermatitis (due to skin contact with the cause) or atopic dermatitis in individuals who are "atopic" or allergic by nature. If the scalp is involved then we call it seborrhoeic dermatitis. Do you know that Dermatitis can be caused by chemicals, plants, shoes, clothing, metal compounds and even medicines used to treat dermatitis? In atopic dermatitis environmental temperature, humidity changes, bacterial skin infections and garments may all bring about dermatitis as may airborne allergens. Emotional stress may contribute to the condition. Allergic responses to skin irritants may take from a number of days to years after the first exposure to the time of re-exposure to precipitate the dermatitis.
This practical information is made available by the Allergy Centre. An Allergist can tell you if you have Dermatitis, what it is, why you have it, how you can be tested for it, what you can do about it, the best treatment, whether you should be desensitised, the best medication to use, the best place to seek treatment and whether you can get a cure for Dermatitis.