EpiCeram® May Make Summertime Activities Enjoyable Again For Those With Eczema

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., June 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --  PuraCap^® Pharmaceutical, makers of EpiCeram®, an FDA-approved topical prescription emollient used to treat dry skin conditions and manage atopic dermatitis, announces that EpiCeram® can help make swimming more comfortable for patients with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is a skin disease that most commonly starts in childhood and can continue into adulthood. It's characterized by itchy, scaly patches all over the body, including the inside of the elbows, backs of knees, and the trunk of the body.

There's a myth that atopic dermatitis only afflicts sufferers in the wintertime. However, the summer months can be just as rife with flare-ups if a patient is regularly involved in swimming. Both the summer heat and chlorine exposure may make symptoms worse.

"In addition, seasonal allergy flares can make skin more sensitive," explains Kavita Mariwalla, MD, FAAD, Director, Mariwalla Dermatology in West Islip, New York. "People really need to protect their skin to lower their risk of infections and improve healing. A product like EpiCeram® works to restore the skin's natural barrier which is beneficial to the healing process," she says.

Pools need to be chlorinated to maintain a proper pH balance and reduce bacteria levels. The ideal pH of a pool ranges from 7.2 to 7.4, which differs from the skin's ideal pH of 5.0 to 6.0. Chlorine in the pool therefore changes skin's pH, compromising skin's protective lipid barrier, which protects the skin from bacteria and allergens. This exacerbates eczema or atopic dermatitis causing irritation and itching. Proper skin care can allow patients with sensitive skin conditions to enjoy swimming and water sports while minimizing symptoms.

EpiCeram® contains all of the essentials for total skin barrier repair to relieve itching, dryness and redness. These include three essential lipids (ceramides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol) in a physiologically balanced ratio, which mimics the lipid concentration found in the skin.

EpiCeram® is also formulated with a pH of 5 to help normalize pH of skin and stop skin barrier disruption. With a unique controlled-release technology, EpiCeram® delivers 24-hour barrier repair benefits with just twice-daily application.

"EpiCeram is more than a prescription strength moisturizer," says Dr. Mariwalla. "For patients suffering from atopic dermatitis it is a vehicle to truly help repair the skin, minimizing stinging or burning. It does not cause unwanted side effects such as skin thinning or resistance. For my patients suffering from eczema, I consider it as first line therapy - I use it on my own children because I know it works," she says.

How to use: Patients are advised to take preventative measures like avoiding swimming during an eczema flare-up, using sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and applying a Rx skin barrier repair product before going into a pool, such as EpiCeram®. After swimming, shower and cleanse skin with a mild soap, then reapply EpiCeram®.  

• EpiCeram® Controlled Release Skin Barrier Emulsion 90g Tube and 225g airless pump is sold by prescription through pharmacies

Learn more at http://epiceram-us.com

About PuraCap Pharmaceutical LLC
PuraCap Pharmaceutical LLC is an emerging, fully integrated pharmaceutical company with expertise in product development, manufacturing and distribution bringing,  high quality products & services to their customers.  PuraCap's corporate structure supports a two-pronged approach for global growth in the areas of prescription brands (PuraCap Pharmaceutical LLC) as well as prescription generics and OTC and private label brands (PuraCap International LLC).  Go to www.puracap.com for more information.

SOURCE PuraCap Pharmaceutical LLC