Episode 16: The surprising relationship between COVID risk & eczema
At the beginning of the pandemic, the prevailing theory was that people with eczema would be at higher risk for COVID-19 infection and severe symptoms because they were taking treatments that suppress the immune system or because they also had asthma which was thought to complicate symptoms. But, in a rare bit of good news, research is suggesting the exact opposite may be true. Tune in to learn how the immune system abnormalities associated with eczema may actually protect against COVID-19 infection and how one treatment may reduce the risk of severe symptoms after infection. Our guests are Dr. Emma Guttman-Yassky, Professor of Dermatology and Immunology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Dr. Benjamin Ungar Assistant Professor of Dermatology also at Mount Sinai; and Dr. Adrian Martineau Professor of Respiratory Infection and Immunity Sciences in the School of Medicine at Queen Mary University of London. P.S. If you like our podcast, consider supporting it with a tax-deductible donation.
Research referenced in this episode: