In partnership with Regeneron and Sanofi, Romper contributor Christa Lee spoke with Sonia D., mom to 6-year-old Ariah. She opened up about her child’s journey with severe eczema and how a treatment helped her daughter find relief. This is her story.
My daughter Ariah is a fun-loving 6-year-old who loves to dance, play with dolls, and do art projects. Most people would never even know about the skin issues she struggled with for most of her life up until now.
I first noticed rough patches on Ariah’s skin when she was 6-months-old. As a second-time mom, I had already figured it was either some type of skin condition, like eczema, or an allergic reaction to something since my older daughter had experienced similar-looking rashes. So, I thought I’d try over-the-counter skin-care products like I did with my eldest. They would temporarily help calm Ariah’s skin down, but the patches kept returning. Since baby skin can be sensitive, I wanted to consider as many chemical-free options as possible, so I followed all sorts of advice on mommy blogs that included expensive “natural” droplets that I added to her milk bottles. Unfortunately, nothing I tried worked for her.
As she got older, I noticed her skin rashes and itching became even more severe and I knew we needed to prioritize finding a treatment that would help her with her signs and symptoms. Her eczema was most pronounced in sensitive areas, such as on her face, neck, elbows, wrists, hands, ankles and back of her knees. It often felt like our family was centered around Ariah’s signs and symptoms – group activities, such as vacations, could be difficult for us because of the extra preparation (packing her topical prescriptions and creams) and care she needed.
When we went to Ariah’s one-year check-up at her pediatrician, her skin was at its worst. She immediately told us to seek out a pediatric dermatologist.
By the time I could research and find a specialist, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Doctor’s offices were shut down, and we couldn’t get an appointment. I know many were experiencing the same types of issues during these times.
Meanwhile, her skin was discolored from all the scabs forming over her itchy rashes. She’d go to bed with white sheets; in the morning, they had blood stains from all the scratching. So, I’d apply her prescription creams and put gloves on her hands to protect her from scratching herself while she slept. I was just trying to hold on until we got the appointment with the pediatric dermatologist. The dermatologist eventually confirmed that she had severe eczema (or atopic dermatitis), a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can result in part from an overactive immune system, which causes increased inflammation under the skin. This inflammation can lead to intense itching and rashes.
Looking back, I can only imagine how uncomfortable she was – with her rashes and the itching. At the time, I’d chalked it up to her being a moody toddler, but now I realize how the itchiness must have contributed to her discomfort – even while she was playing.
When we initially met with Ariah’s pediatric dermatologist, I thought she’d write me another topical prescription. But instead, she suggested we try Dupixent® (dupilumab). Dupixent is a prescription medicine used to treat people 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. People shouldn’t use Dupixent if they are allergic to it or its ingredients. Serious side effects include allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, eye problems and joint aches and pain. Please see Important Safety Information below.
I learned that Dupixent is a biologic that is given by injection under the skin. It works by targeting a key source of inflammation inside the body, to help reduce itch and skin lesions.
Before starting Dupixent, Ariah’s pediatric dermatologist and I discussed her medical conditions and other medicines she was taking.
Eventually, we saw a difference in Ariah’s skin. Her skin was clearing up and she wasn’t itching as much. In a clinical trial of children 6 months to 5 years of age at 16 weeks: 28% on Dupixent plus a topical corticosteroid (TCS) saw clear or almost clear skin compared with 4% on TCS only, and 48% of children on Dupixent plus TCS had less itch compared with 9% on TCS only.
The most common side effects include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).
When Ariah’s symptoms were bad, she would often get frustrated and was constantly in a state of discomfort. Since starting treatment, my older daughter has mentioned that Ariah isn’t as bothered by itchiness when they play and she can see that her skin is clearer.We were so used to her sitting quietly and scratching her neck, which would be hard to watch, but at the same time, we knew she was uncomfortable. I think that’s when I realized how her symptoms impacted our family.
This was our experience, and it’s always important to consult with your healthcare provider about what is right for you or your child.
Now, I’m that mom who gives unsolicited advice when I see a child who I suspect has severe eczema. I always tell parents dealing with this issue that it should still be taken seriously, especially because I’ve been through it with my own child. I lovingly call Ariah my “velcro child” given how she sticks to me, but I love it because she’s such a joyful, happy 6-year-old.
If your child is affected by moderate-to-severe eczema that isn’t well controlled, talk to your doctor about options, like Dupixent, to see if it's worth exploring.
To learn more about Dupixent and access the full Prescribing Information, visit www.dupixent.com/atopicdermatitis/patient-stories.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have eye problems.
- have a parasitic (helminth) infection.
- are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” right before and during treatment with DUPIXENT.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby.
- A pregnancy registry for women who take DUPIXENT during pregnancy collects information about the health of you and your baby. To enroll or get more information call 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/dupixent/.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking oral, topical or inhaled corticosteroid medicines or if you have atopic dermatitis and asthma and use an asthma medicine. Do not change or stop your corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine to come back.
DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:
- Allergic reactions. DUPIXENT can cause allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms: breathing problems or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, fast pulse, fever, hives, joint pain, general ill feeling, itching, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, nausea or vomiting, or cramps in your stomach-area.
- Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision, such as blurred vision. Your healthcare provider may send you to an ophthalmologist for an eye exam if needed.
- Joint aches and pain. Some people who use DUPIXENT have had trouble walking or moving due to their joint symptoms, and in some cases needed to be hospitalized. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or worsening joint symptoms. Your healthcare provider may stop DUPIXENT if you develop joint symptoms.
The most common side effects in patients with eczema include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It’s an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your healthcare provider will decide if you or your caregiver can inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to prepare and inject DUPIXENT until you or your caregiver have been trained by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it’s recommended DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. In children 6 months to less than 12 years of age, DUPIXENT should be given by a caregiver.
INDICATION
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
Click here for full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
DUP.23.05.0261
