Reunited, and It Feels So Good!l

ALMOST a year to the day since they were abandoned, Maggie and Rubble were reunited as their loving owners met up on a rainy, windy Crosby beach.

A spokesman for the Rescue Centre said:- "ou may remember that Rubble and Maggie were found tied to a bush close to our Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre in Ince Blundell in April last year. We had no idea of how they came to be there. 1 of our staff found them, bewildered and anxious, as she was driving home, and immediately brought them to safety at Freshfields. We took them in, and from that moment on they had new hope for their future. Our vet assessed them and they were generally in good health. We made sure that they were warm, fed and loved, whilst we searched for a forever loving home for them both. It appeared they were from the same household, and there were signs that Maggie had given birth to at least 1 litter. Maggie was lucky enough to find a wonderful home 1st, adopted by Alan who was delighted to tell us that she settled in well and claimed her spot on the sofa. They're the best of friends now, with Maggie being a celebrity when they pop into their local pub. 2 months later Rubble; aka Rubble on the Double; helped Jackie find love again, after her beloved dog had died recently. He's got many different nicknames! Everyone falls in love with him and he's a very affectionate dog."

Jackie said:- "We were so pleased that we could bring Maggie and Rubble together again. We didn't know if they would recognise each other, but they got on well, and Rubble licked Maggie's face, which is unusual for him! It was lovely that we could get together with Alan and Maggie and celebrate the fact that we could give the dogs the love they deserve."

Deb Hughes, Freshfields Animal Rescue said:- "We could not be happier to see Rubble and Maggie 1 year on from the nightmare of being abandoned in the road. They have both found happiness and joy, and we love to see them enjoying their adventures with their families. They are cherished as beloved family pets, which is what we want for all of our rescued animals. We can only make this happen because of the support we get from our local communities. We need your help to make it possible to make more happy endings like Rubble and Maggie's story. Last year, we saved over 1000 creatures, including companion animals such as:- dogs, cats and rabbits, and also wildlife – we saved over 400 hedgehogs and birds in our Wildlife Unit, releasing them safely back into the wild. We face a triple threat of falling donations, rising costs and increasing numbers of animals being brought to our doors. Please consider taking a rescue dog into your hearts and homes if you're looking for a pet. You will be changing lives, including your own!"

To find out more about Freshfields Animal Rescue, or to make a donation to help our vital work to rescue and re-home animals in desperate need, go to:- Freshfields.Org.UK.

New Liverpool research reveals emotional impact of eczema, psoriasis and other skin woes

6 in 10 people currently have a skin condition or have 1st hand experience of an issue such as eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis. Now, new research sheds light on the hidden dimensions of these very visible problems; and the importance of finding effective treatments and coping strategies.

Data commissioned by Typharm; which produces a range of prescription only skin therapies including an evidence backed medicated tape for painful cracked skin associated with eczema and psoriasis; fludroxycortide tape found 88% of adults in Liverpool polled said their skin problems undermined their emotional wellbeing. 37% have been so seriously affected they have contemplated suicidal thoughts. While 88% of people with skin problems noted, in the same Typharm survey poll, their skin condition affects their confidence. Yet despite this obvious distress, 56% of those in Liverpool who took part in Typharm's real world research survey have never been offered counselling.

This reflects the latest All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin report which points out:- "Mental and physical health are intrinsically linked. There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating that people are at increased risk of having poor mental health when they live with a chronic skin condition."

GP and skincare specialist, Dr Nisa Aslam from Typharm's Skin Life Sciences Foundation (SLSF) says:- "The emotional impact of skin issues can harm every aspect of a patient's life, from relationships, to work, to home and family life; there is no part of life that is not affected in some way."

The depth of this is revealed in the new Typharm data. In Liverpool:-

• 63% of those who took part say their skin issues have led to depression and 24% report this:- "often" happens.
   

• 88% confirm their condition has affected their emotional wellbeing.
   

• 78% of respondents say skin problems have led to fear or anxiety about going out.
   

• 85% have felt distressed as a result of their skin condition.
   

• 88% have felt embarrassment because of their skin.
   

• 34% had overheard comments from strangers about their skin.

Psychologist, Professor Jason Ellis from Northumbria University says:- "Women are generally more likely to report psychological distress, but this gender-gap is not as wide as some might expect." For instance, 89% of women confirm their confidence is affected, compared to 86% of men. Similarly, 90% of women say skin conditions undermine their self-esteem, compared to 86% of men.

Axis of inflammation... Emotional distress is a recognised trigger for flare ups of conditions such as:- eczema and psoriasis, and the very latest Typharm real-world data found that in Liverpool:-

• 67% of respondents noted that stress contributes to flare ups.
   

• 49% confirmed anxiety exacerbates their skin problems.
   

• 49% of those surveyed identified prolonged stress and anxiety as factors which can lead to skin conditions.

Dr Nisa Aslam adds:- "These are complex conditions, but inflammation is a common feature of eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis and this may, in part, help to explain the link between skin symptoms and psychological wellbeing. Our understanding of this axis of inflammation; more correctly called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; is still evolving. However, a number of important chemical and hormonal drivers associated with inflammatory skin problems have already been identified."

These include:- Upregulation of corticotropin releasing hormone as well as a number of neuropeptides and natural steroids. Activation of the serotonergic nervous system. Changes in a range of body chemicals including:- interleukin 12 and TNF, which are involved in immune and inflammatory responses. Crosstalk between mast cells (associated with immune responses), nerves, and keratinocytes.
Reduced cortisol production in response to stress.

Mind the gaps in care...  44% of those who were surveyed in Liverpool had been offered counselling and the Typharm data reveals a postcode lottery of care. Respondents living in the vicinity of:- Sheffield (48%), London (43%) and Birmingham (41%) were far more likely to access counselling than those residing around:- Leicester (9%), Belfast (18%) and Plymouth (19%) areas.

Dr Nisa Aslam says:- "Under treated eczema and psoriasis can have a serious impact on quality of life and increase the risk of infection and chronic skin changes, so it's important to seek out evidence based information and support and ensure your condition is managed as effectively as possible. If you are experiencing flare ups, or skin symptoms which are affecting your day-to-day life, it is really important you speak to your GP or another qualified health professional to explore your options. In fact, there really is no need to suffer in silence as there are a variety of prescribed skin treatment options from ointments, creams to the development of formats like medicated tapes such as Fludroxycortide tape, which is also waterproof, to help deliver steroids within a different format that can be used for flare-ups and short periods of time (not prolonged time periods). Fludroxycortide tape is a transparent medicated surgical tape impregnated with the steroid fludroxycortide which you can apply make-up over the top of, shower etc with it on. When applied to the skin, it helps reduce redness, swelling and itching and contributes to wound healing. Finding the most effective therapy is often a matter of trial and error, so it's important to keep going back to your doctor, or dermatologist, for advice."

Typharm Group is a UK life science company founded in 1966, which provides a comprehensive range of prescription only treatments for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and other common skin challenges. This includes:- creams, ointments and Fludroxycortide tape; a transparent surgical tape impregnated with the corticosteroid fludroxycortide which helps reduce redness, swelling and itching and contributes to wound healing.

For more information go to:- Typharm.Com or SLSF.UK.