HKU develops plant-based formula that can significantly ease pain and itch from eczema
發佈日期: 2026-02-12 20:06
TVB News
The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong has developed a skincare cream with plant-based compound formula that can block eczema-inducing bacteria at the source.
HKU says while it can control the condition, it doesn't represent a complete cure.
Being one of the common skin ailments in Hong Kong, eczema inflicts patients with persistent itchiness and skin swollenness.
The Department of Microbiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong has been studying the main causes of eczema recurrence since 2017.
Its researchers found that current therapies can only temporarily inhibit inflammation or indiscriminately sterilise it, and long-term use can cause skin thinning and even antibiotic resistance.
Developing a cream with local manufacturers, the research team extracted from a variety of plants to neutralise the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus, turning it from a harmful state to a harmless coexistence.
This helps block the toxins from itching, inflammation and damaging the skin barrier.
The team stresses that the cream is not a medicine that can completely cure eczema -- but a form of skincare.
According to questionnaire responses, most patients who tried the cream experienced a significant reduction in itching and pain three to four days after use.
Part of the research team, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung says they are studying the possibility to turn the plant-based formula into medical products -- but for plant-based moisturising creams to become formulated drugs, they still need to undergo phase 1 to 3 clinical trials with millions of dollars of investment.
