Exposure to sunlight releases a compound from the skin that can alleviate symptoms of eczema, research has found. The molecule, called nitric oxide, works by dampening inflammation, which causes itchy skin associated with the condition. Scientists say their findings pave the way for new therapies which mimic the effects of the sun's rays and could help patients avoid light therapy, which can have damaging side effects on the skin such as raising cancer risk. Tests on healthy volunteers found that exposing a small patch of skin to UV light triggers a release of nitric oxide into the blood stream. The University of Edinburgh team found patients with eczema saw the increased number of these cells in their blood following light therapy fitted with disease improvement.

Source: Daily Sun June 26, 2017 00:08 UTC