2025 has been a brilliant year for Rapid Eczema Trials, and we’re excited to share some of the standout moments from the past twelve months.
The Bathing Study: Freedom to Choose
The headline finding:
It makes no difference to eczema symptoms whether people bathe daily or weekly.
For people living with eczema, this is empowering. It means you can simply do what works best for you and your lifestyle. As one participant put it:
“People with eczema now have the freedom to choose how often to bathe.”
Impact on National Guidance
This study has already made its way into clinical practice. NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has added this finding to their Childhood Eczema Guideline (point 1.5.1.45). This is hugely significant, as NICE guidelines shape the care provided across the NHS.
Media and Professional Recognition
The findings were featured on BBC Radio 4’s What’s Up Doc, in a discussion between the van Tulleken brothers and dermatologist, Tess McPherson, about dry skin and eczema.
At the 2025 British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) Annual Meeting, Kim Thomas presented the Bathing Study and was awarded Best Scientific Session Paper on behalf of the whole team.
Keep Control: Our Second Randomised Controlled Trial
Our second major study, Keep Control, is now well underway. Recruitment is going brilliantly — we’ve already enrolled three-quarters of the participants we need. Thank you to everyone who has signed up and supported this important work.
If you are taking part – please do remember to complete your weekly questionnaires. It only takes a minute or so and your answers are vital for the study.
Scratch Less: Exciting news for our 3rd Randomised Controlled Trial
The co-production group for our 3rd and final study has been the largest yet. 14 citizen scientist members of our Rapid Eczema Trials Community contributed to choosing what we should test and helped to design the trial. This trial is going to be testing a 3-part programme called Scratch Less. It has been designed to help people break the itch-scratch cycle and we hope it will be open for people to join the study in early 2026.
The Rapid Community: Now Over 1,000 Strong
Our community continues to grow! More than 1,000 people now receive our newsletters and have joined us on this five-year journey to improve life for those living with eczema. Your enthusiasm and involvement are what make Rapid Eczema Trials possible.
Researcher News: Happy Announcements
We’re also celebrating some joyful moments within the team. Since the start of this project, we’ve had two new additions to the team. Congratulations to:
- Laura Howells on the arrival of her baby boy (who is no longer a baby!), and
- Ingrid Muller on her new baby girl.
We’re thrilled for them both!
Wishing You Happy Holidays
We hope this collection of good news has brought you some cheer. Thank you for being part of Rapid Eczema Trials — and here’s to more progress, insight and community in the year ahead.
Happy Holidays!
Amanda and Kim
Co-leads of the Rapid Eczema Trials project