Manchester BRC researchers to shine a light on sunshine and eczema
Researchers are to explore how sunlight and other environmental factors can affect people with eczema.
Dr Kirsty Rutter will lead the study, which has been awarded funding in the National Eczema Society’s first ever research grant round. She is an honorary consultant dermatologist at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) and a clinical senior lecturer at The University of Manchester.
The PhD studentship will focus particularly on ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure in sunlight – which sometimes improves eczema but can also cause symptoms to flare up in some people. We don’t know exactly what proportion of people experience photosensitivity (sensitivity to UVR). Other environmental factors, such as heat and humidity, can also affect people with eczema.
Dr Rutter (pictured right) and colleagues will run a national survey to find out more about how UVR exposure in sunlight affects people’s eczema, and explore the effect of other environmental factors. Research participants will wear UVR recording badges to see whether eczema symptoms and severity can be linked to different levels of sunlight. In addition, Dr Rutter will investigate if wrist-worn UVR sensors linked to a mobile app could help people with photosensitive forms of atopic eczema to manage their symptoms.
Dr Rutter is also supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). She said: “We know that this is an issue that’s highly relevant to patients with eczema, and their experiences and priorities have helped to shape our research plan. Having better information about UVR exposure and its effects on symptoms will help us to provide better, more personalised, advice to support people to manage their eczema in their day to day lives.”
Dr Zenas Yiu (pictured left), who is a Clinical Senior at The University of Manchester and an honorary consultant dermatologist at NCA, was co-applicant on the National Eczema Society grant and will co-supervise this project’s PhD student, along with environmental physics expert Professor Ann Webb and data scientist Dr Sabine van der Veer, both from The University of Manchester.
Dr Kirsty Rutter and Dr Zenas Yiu are part of the NIHR Manchester BRC’s Dermatology Theme. This project is linked to the Theme’s photodermatoses and inflammatory skin programmes and the BRC’s digital infrastructure programme.
The study will last for three years.