Author: Serena Taylor

For many people around the world, acne is more than a skin condition. It can be a source of discomfort, emotional and physical distress and social anxiety. Affecting 85% of adolescents and a significant number of adults as well, acne vulgaris is the most common dermatological condition globally.   Studies show that individuals with moderate to…

Acne Vulgaris (AV) tends to be overlooked by medical researchers as a trivial and self-limiting condition, yet the psychological toll it takes on those affected can be considerable. A review of 13 studies uncovers the physical and mental scars it leaves behind, demonstrating the need for early and effective treatments.   Acne’s psychosocial impacts  Acne is…

What is the global burden of eczema (atopic dermatitis)?   Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent health conditions worldwide – yet as it is neither life-threatening nor contagious, it may be overlooked by the medical profession. But the health/ wellbeing and financial impacts of this chronic and often debilitating condition are considerable, and…

Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are some of the most devastating and widespread diseases that humans face. There are as yet no cures – but could that be set to change following the discovery of a single ‘hub gene’ that might unlock their secrets?   While research is still in…

Psoriasis is a skin disease with a range of variants and many known comorbidities. While the pathology of psoriasis is complex and still not fully understood, it is now accepted as a systemic immune-mediated inflammatory disease – paving the way for the development of game-changing treatments.   The burden of psoriasis  According to worldwide figures, psoriasis…

The global burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema among children is rising, bringing with it a wave of distressing physical and psychological symptoms. Let’s take a look at the statistics, and meet some of the young people behind them to hear how they cope with the impacts that AD has on their lives.  AD…

Less than 12% of patients complete their course of acne treatment, according to one US study. Side effects and prolonged treatment time are two of the main obstacles facing patients on a range of treatment regimes. Younger people are not only more likely to have acne, but also to abandon their course of medication. Yet…