Top in allergy/asthma: Addressing vaccine hesitancy; tapinarof cream for itch relief

Researchers found that vaccine hesitancy is more common among patients who seek information from the media and the internet.

Social media algorithms, anti-vaccine tweets and conspiracy theories are driving patients' hesitancy, but physicians recommend shared decision-making, according to a presentation during the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting.

“Shared decision-making is important because we don’t want them to feel that they’re just being told that they have to do it,” Dipa Sheth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI, section chief in thedivision of allergy and immunology at DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, said during the presentation. “It’s important to understand, again, where they’re coming from and what they’re seeing.”

Sheth also encouraged physicians to form relationships with their patients and engage in storytelling to build trust, which may help reduce vaccine hesitancy.

It was the top story in allergy/asthma last week.

In another top story, after an 8-week treatment study, researchers found that daily tapinarof 1% cream achieved an itch-free state and improved sleep in patients with atopic dermatitis and pruritus as young as 2 years old.

Read these and more top stories in allergy/asthma below:

Physicians encouraged to use shared decision-making to combat vaccine hesitancy

Communication, including shared decision-making, is essential in combating vaccine hesitancy, according to a presentation at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting. Read more.

Tapinarof improves itch, sleep quality for children, adults with atopic dermatitis

Daily tapinarof cream 1% improved weekly itch outcomes and sleep in patients with atopic dermatitis and pruritus, according to an abstract presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting. Read more.

Top news of November: FDA oral phenylephrine removal, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, more

Healio has compiled November’s most read news in asthma and allergy. Top stories included breaking FDA news about the discontinuation of using oral phenylephrine in nasal decongestants, reports from our Women in Allergy series, challenges in anaphylaxis diagnosing, updates on the sublingual epinephrine film and more. Read more.

Biologics considered safe for asthma during pregnancy

The use of biologics to treat asthma during pregnancy “is very likely safe,” but the choice should follow shared decision-making, S. Shahzad Mustafa, MD, chief of allergy, immunology and rheumatology at Rochester Regional Health, said during his presentation at the CHEST Annual Meeting. Read more.

Dupilumab improved lung function, reduced exacerbations in children with type 2 asthma

Dupilumab reduced exacerbations and improved lung function in children with asthma, according to an abstract presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting. Read more.