Sue and Yetunde,
Caregiver Ambassadors
We know how important it is to be there for the people you care for, and we want to
support you every step of the way. That's why we put together these resources for
caregivers to patients of all age groups with moderate-to-severe eczema. Be sure
to check back here often for updates.
Managing eczema presents a unique set of challenges to every caregiver. Choose a patient age group below to
explore information and resources tailored toward helping you on the various stages of your caregiving journey.
(6 months-5 years)
Young ones may not understand their disease or how hard you work to manage
their symptoms. The resources below might be able to help.
When it’s time to inject, consider these tips and
tricks from real caregivers:
For more tips and tricks from real caregivers,
download the Child Injection Activity Guide today.
Do not try to inject DUPIXENT until you have been
trained by your healthcare provider.
Many parents find it helpful to use distraction techniques
when giving injections to a young child. Here are a few
methods you may find useful at injection time:
Infants (6-12 Months)
Sing a song
Read pop-up books
Toddlers (1-3 Years)
Listen to music
Build with blocks
Preschoolers (3-5 years)
Listen to music
Tell a story
Sign up for more tips like these and other resources for caregivers of young children with DUPIXENT MyWay®.
Managing eczema in young children can be challenging. Hear one mom’s experience with
DUPIXENT, plus tips from real caregivers for making the process a smoother one.
Caregiver Injection Experiences
VO:
LORI: Nobody prepares you for this. Right? We were lucky to have a great healthcare provider who trained us on the injection process, including how much to inject and how often.
WENDY: It's definitely been a learning curve, learning how to administer an injection to my granddaughter.
RAHMEL: I was a little overwhelmed in the beginning, but I found being calm is super important. My daughter Kia and I practice ways to keep calm. We like taking deep, long breaths together before we start.
DEANTRE: I always told parents just to have a plan because kids pick up on your nervousness. If you're calm, they're calm.
AMANDA: That's for sure. A lot of kids do well with a little calm chit chat, but others could benefit from other activities. So you want to have a few options ready ahead of time.
LORI: I tried all sorts of things before we got into a comfortable routine. Distractions with toys, holding an ice cube to the injection site and having him get involved in the process like getting a cotton ball or an alcohol wipe. I've learned the best distraction is other family members. His older sister tells the best jokes.
WENDY: And it can change as they get older. My granddaughter, Emma, didn't want anything to do with the pre injection process when she was younger. But now, helping out really gives her a sense of control. She gets the alcohol swabs and I get the medication from the fridge.
DEANTRE: Where and when you administer the injection is important as well.
LORI: Exactly. Eventually, we found doing the injection at the kitchen table allowed us to maintain Austin's bedroom and playroom as play spaces. I don't know why it worked, but we just stuck with it.
AMANDA: Well, the kitchen is the heart of the home.
LORI: Yeah. Maybe that's why.
RAHMEL: It's because the cookies are closer.
LORI: Yes. I can just grab one. Yeah.
DEANTRE: One thing I also tell parents to patients is practice patience, because you got to realize that these are young people that we're dealing with.
CHRISTINE: I always like to give as many options as possible and just trying to get them involved in the process so they have some control of something that they have no control over really.
WENDY: Yeah. A lot of times I would say, "Do you want to do this before breakfast or after dinner?"
CHRISTINE: Right.
WENDY: And giving them that choice of the time of day. I'm finally comfortable giving the injections. But my granddaughter, Emma, is such a trooper sometimes I forget she's still just a little girl and she could use some reassurance.
AMANDA: Always remember, uncertainty can cause anxiety. I always tell parents and caregivers a little encouragement and understanding goes a long way.
CHRISTINE: I know a swaddle really helps. You can leave out the arm you're going to use and swaddle the rest of the body. This works for bigger kids also actually, if you use a blanket or something.
LORI: Yeah, I know. They're stronger than we think.
CHRISTINE: Yeah, we have to get them more credit. Kids are really resilient.
DEANTRE: Look, when it comes to the actual injection, your physical technique is important. Leg and arm hold methods are simple to learn and reduce squirming. Don't forget to refer to any instructions for use before any injection, for additional information and to use as a reference.
CHRISTINE: And there's so many options out there now. You can numb with an ice cube. They have devices that divert pain signals, it like vibrates on your arm so they don't feel the injection so much. They have numbing creams, numbing sprays.
LORI: Right.
CHRISTINE: There's so many things and every child is going to want something different. Some don't want anything at all.
LORI: Yes.
WENDY: Yeah. My granddaughter's really into the imagination type style, so it always involved her stuffed animals and unicorns and the fake shot injection. And it's like, Okay, if I'm getting this, then so is Panda, so is Uni. It was like, Okay, well who's going first and it just created almost like a magical land for her and she just really seemed to enjoy it more.
RAHMEL: At first, simply explaining what I was doing and how the treatment was going to help calmed my daughter down. She's really into taking an active role in managing her condition.
CHRISTINE: One thing I would suggest is to let your child's likes lead the way. If they like music, sing a song with them while giving the injection. If they like stories, have them read one to you or read one to them. If they're younger, just counting numbers or reciting the alphabet can help. Even having blankey or lovey dedicated to the injection time can be very comforting.
LORI: Great point. Our son loves superheroes, so I made up a superhero. His name is Flash Bang.
DEANTRE: Flash Bang.
LORI: And I tell him a two minute story when I give the injection. Now he looks forward to new episodes so much. He reminds me as we get ready, which makes everything easier.
WENDY: The basics work for us, the calm chit chat, and then using toys and screens as a distraction. Sometimes even a nursery rhyme.
DEANTRE: You know what? Parents have an advantage. When we work with young patients, we have to earn their trust. You guys already have it. Be calm, confident, positive as you give the injection, eventually it'll become routine.
LORI: We use screen time as a reward. It helps make it a positive experience and gives them something to look forward to after the injection.
CHRISTINE: Rewards after the injection are a great idea.
WENDY: Yes. It was important for me to get to know Emma's likes and dislikes. It's tough though because they changed so often. One day, bringing her giant stuffed panda into the room worked like a charm and the next it didn't. Sparkly stars and unicorn stickers though, that's where we're at now.
RAHMEL: We're all so busy with work and school schedules, we make the reward all about spending time together with a game or movie night and she gets to pick the game or movie. She beat me last time too.
AMANDA: Don't let yourself get too stressed out about the reward thing. I have a lot of little patients that react to very simple stuff. New, fun bandaids, extra hugs, sometimes simple is best.
LORI: Throwing in a few sweets never hurts. I like to mix up the rewards that way he's looking forward to finding out what the next reward will be. It makes it feel like a celebration.
RAHMEL: I mean, this has definitely been great sharing this experience with the other caregivers.
LORI: Yes, so helpful.
RAHMEL: Especially healthcare professionals, you guys have just made this process so much easier. So many new tools for my toolbox that'll make this whole process much better.
LORI: I'm glad we were able to get together and do this for them.
Alisa & Lila: Our dupixent journey
INDICATION
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
Important Safety Information
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Please see additional Important Safety Information throughout this video and adjacent links for full Prescribing Information.
Individual results with DUPIXENT may vary.
Sponsored by Regeneron and Sanofi.
ALISA:
Our daughter Lila is four years old. She is a very social, very happy kid.
She loves unicorns, sparkles, princesses. She loves to play outside. She loves animals, and she's just full of life.
[Lila Nat Sounds]: Got you!
Lila started showing signs of uncontrolled severe eczema when she was about seven months old. She would get redness, bumps, and rashes mainly on her face, and her skin would be puffy and swollen.
Just when it seemed to clear up in one spot, it would pop up somewhere else on her body. We noticed that her eczema would flare when it was hot outside or when she was sweating.
It was also triggered by swimming in a pool. So, when she wanted to jump in a pool on a hot day, I would worry that her eczema would get worse.
Early on, Lila was obviously too young to talk about her eczema, but I could see her scratching at her itchy skin. I could tell she was uncomfortable and that worried me.
We tried a lot of over-the-counter and prescription ointments and creams, but they would only give her temporary relief. When I would put cream on her face, she would usually just wipe it right off like most kids her age would.
She itched a lot, too, and we tried to keep her nails short because she would scratch to the point of bleeding, especially overnight.
It was very challenging to keep her symptoms under control. I felt awful for her, I—that she was having to kind of endure this, you know, as just such a little kid.
[Alisa and Michael Nat Sounds]: One, two three, woah!
My husband, Michael, and I heard about DUPIXENT from our pediatric dermatologist. Lila was three years old at the time.
We were happy to learn that DUPIXENT was FDA-approved for children as young as six months with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema.
Moving to a prescription injectable treatment seemed like a big step for us, but we trusted our doctor's recommendation.
We tried so many treatments and nothing was really working to control Lila's eczema. So, we needed to try something different.
DUPIXENT is not a steroid—that was very important to me.
Before Lila started DUPIXENT, I talked with our doctor about all the medical conditions she had and medications she was taking.
Her doctor and I talked about the potential benefits and risks of treatment, including the most common side effects, such as injection site reactions and some serious side effects, including allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, eye problems, and joint aches and pain.
Over time, we noticed a difference in Lila's skin. It became clearer, and she was itching less. I am glad we started Lila on DUPIXENT when we did. Of course, this is just our experience. Everyone's experience with DUPIXENT is different.
We were properly trained by Lila's doctor on how to inject, and we follow her recommended dosage.
We did decide to do the injections at home because we wanted to do it on our schedules and not go to the doctor's office.
Lila feels probably like any four-year-old would about injections. We would usually have to offer rewards, such as, you know, "You're gonna have this little pinch and then you're going to get 30 minutes of play time."
Now that we've been doing the injections for some time, she's learned that the reward is really that her skin is less itchy, and she understands that the DUPIXENT injection helps heal the eczema patches on her skin, which she always would call her “boo-boos”.
Our lives don't revolve around Lila’s eczema as much anymore. We let her swim in the pool. We let her play outside in the heat, and her eczema is more controlled. I love that she doesn't have to worry about her eczema as much when she's doing the things that she enjoys. She can just be herself.
(6-11 years)
As kids grow, they may develop a better sense of how eczema affects them and the steps necessary to
manage their symptoms. Check out the tips and resources below to help establish a routine that works
for you and your loved one.
When it’s time to inject, consider these tips and tricks from real caregivers:
Do not try to inject DUPIXENT until you have been trained by your healthcare provider.
As a caregiver, you’re never alone. Find inspiration from DUPIXENT MyWay® Caregiver
Ambassadors, and hear tips for making the injection process more manageable.
Injection Tips From Dr. Becker
INDICATION
DUPIXENT (dupilumab) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
Important Safety Information
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Please see additional Important Safety Information throughout this video and adjacent links for full Prescribing Information.
Individual results with DUPIXENT may vary.
Sponsored by Regeneron and Sanofi.
DR. BECKER:
I’m Dr. Emily Becker, a board-certified pediatric dermatologist.
When I’m introducing my pediatric patients and caregivers to DUPIXENT, I want them to feel comfortable with the idea of taking an injectable treatment every two or four weeks, depending on the patient's age and weight.
I remind them that DUPIXENT is the only FDA-approved biologic for treating uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema in children as young as six months.
I understand that some are apprehensive about injecting their children and are unsure at first.
But for those that are willing and capable, I train them how to properly administer the injection.
That way, they can give the dose at home, rather than bringing their child to my office for every dose.
I show them the training pen or syringe and let them practice with it until they start to feel more confident.
I also point them to DUPIXENT MyWay® for supplemental injection training and helpful videos on DUPIXENT.com.
AISHA:
I'm Aisha, and my daughter Bailey was diagnosed with severe eczema when she was four years old, but she started showing signs of eczema when she was only five months old.
She takes DUPIXENT as prescribed by her doctor every four weeks to help control her symptoms.
At first, I was worried about the pinch that she was going to feel and that I would somehow do the injection wrong.
But after I was properly trained by our doctor, I learned how to give the injection at home. And then over time I could see that by giving Bailey this medication, I am helping manage her eczema.
AFTON:
I’m Afton. My son Beckett was diagnosed with severe eczema when he was seven years old, and he started treatment with DUPIXENT not long after that.
Most of the time, Beckett handles his injection pretty well. But if he starts getting upset or anxious…
…we’ll just talk it out. I give him time to calm down, and we’ll do a countdown from 10.
I’ll say, “Beckett, remember, this medicine is helping your skin feel less itchy. We’ve been through this before.”
I’ve found that it helps if he’s watching something on TV or on his tablet while I administer the injection.
Before Beckett started DUPIXENT, I told his doctor about all the medical conditions he had and medications he was taking.
His doctor and I talked about the potential benefits and risks of treatment, including the most common side effects such as injection site reactions…
…and some serious side effects, including allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, eye problems, and joint aches and pain.
DR. BECKER:
Some healthcare providers use what I call the HELP method. HELP stands for Hug, Electronic device, Lollipop, and Prize.
Give the child a nice hug as you prepare them for the injection. Have them watch something on a device or a book they enjoy and give them a lollipop so they have some things to distract them. After the injection, give them a small prize, like a toy.
I’ve seen my caregivers and patients have success using this method.
Of course, it can really help to work with a second caregiver, especially with younger kids.
For example, one of the holds I recommend takes two caregivers. It starts with that “hug” I was talking about. One of you sits in a chair hugging the child, face-to-face, belly-to-belly.
This exposes the upper arms and thighs—four of the sites into which DUPIXENT may be injected under the skin.
The other caregiver then administers the injection.
The HELP method is more suitable for younger kids. I find that for kids five and up what works well is to have them lie down on the bed or sofa watching something on a tablet or reading a book as a distraction. One caregiver gently holds their feet or legs to prevent them from wiggling or moving involuntarily. The other caregiver sits with them, helping block the child’s view. Then they can administer the injection in the child’s thigh.
These are the tips I've shared with caregivers of my patients—be sure to talk to your child's healthcare provider before trying these. They may even have recommendations of their own.
If you’re a single parent or caregiver, try having a relative or family friend lend a hand. If that’s not possible, then you always have the option of coming into the office for assistance or asking your child's school nurse if they can help.
AISHA:
Usually, Bailey’s dad holds her and is able to distract her enough so I can give her the injection.
It helps to remind Bailey that we’re all in this together. We’re a team. Daddy has a job, Mommy has a job, and she has a responsibility, too.
After the injection, there’s always a reward of some kind. Her favorite ice cream (chocolate chip), a trip to the playground, or we’ll let her pick out a small toy at the store.
AFTON:
Beckett likes to have some degree of control in his injection routine. He wants to have his special blanket with him. If we’re injecting his arm, he wants to wear his shirt a certain way.
And he wants to choose where the injection goes. We give him options based on where the last injection was, so we’re rotating the site each time.
DR. BECKER:
Usually, the older the child is, the more choices they want to make for themselves.
Don’t be afraid to ask your child, “What can we do to make this better for you?”
If your child is apprehensive about injections, some parents find it helpful to refer to it as “medicine.” So, instead of saying, “It's time for your shot,” say, “It's time for your medicine.”
Something else to consider is the injection routine. I’d suggest doing the injection on weekends. Weekends are usually more relaxed. There’s not as much stress on the parents or the child.
And right after the injection, be sure you’re encouraging your kiddo. “Wow! You’re so brave! Great job!” That kind of thing. You could remind them, “You’re helping your skin heal.”
Try getting your child more invested in their DUPIXENT treatment—show them some “before” photos of what their skin looked like before they started. Then show them some more current photos.
AISHA:
My advice to other caregivers is: You got this! Think about what this treatment can mean for your child and your family. Think about what's possible and keep taking it one step at a time.
Alisa & Lila: our DUPIXENT journey
INDICATION
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
Important Safety Information
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Please see additional Important Safety Information throughout this video and adjacent links for full Prescribing Information.
Individual results with DUPIXENT may vary.
Sponsored by Regeneron and Sanofi.
ALISA:
Our daughter Lila is four years old. She is a very social, very happy kid.
She loves unicorns, sparkles, princesses. She loves to play outside. She loves animals, and she's just full of life.
[Lila Nat Sounds]: Got you!
Lila started showing signs of uncontrolled severe eczema when she was about seven months old. She would get redness, bumps, and rashes mainly on her face, and her skin would be puffy and swollen.
Just when it seemed to clear up in one spot, it would pop up somewhere else on her body. We noticed that her eczema would flare when it was hot outside or when she was sweating.
It was also triggered by swimming in a pool. So, when she wanted to jump in a pool on a hot day, I would worry that her eczema would get worse.
Early on, Lila was obviously too young to talk about her eczema, but I could see her scratching at her itchy skin. I could tell she was uncomfortable and that worried me.
We tried a lot of over-the-counter and prescription ointments and creams, but they would only give her temporary relief. When I would put cream on her face, she would usually just wipe it right off like most kids her age would.
She itched a lot, too, and we tried to keep her nails short because she would scratch to the point of bleeding, especially overnight.
It was very challenging to keep her symptoms under control. I felt awful for her, I—that she was having to kind of endure this, you know, as just such a little kid.
[Alisa and Michael Nat Sounds]: One, two three, woah!
My husband, Michael, and I heard about DUPIXENT from our pediatric dermatologist. Lila was three years old at the time.
We were happy to learn that DUPIXENT was FDA-approved for children as young as six months with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema.
Moving to a prescription injectable treatment seemed like a big step for us, but we trusted our doctor's recommendation.
We tried so many treatments and nothing was really working to control Lila's eczema. So, we needed to try something different.
DUPIXENT is not a steroid—that was very important to me.
Before Lila started DUPIXENT, I talked with our doctor about all the medical conditions she had and medications she was taking.
Her doctor and I talked about the potential benefits and risks of treatment, including the most common side effects, such as injection site reactions and some serious side effects, including allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, eye problems, and joint aches and pain.
Over time, we noticed a difference in Lila's skin. It became clearer, and she was itching less. I am glad we started Lila on DUPIXENT when we did. Of course, this is just our experience. Everyone's experience with DUPIXENT is different.
We were properly trained by Lila's doctor on how to inject, and we follow her recommended dosage.
We did decide to do the injections at home because we wanted to do it on our schedules and not go to the doctor's office.
Lila feels probably like any four-year-old would about injections. We would usually have to offer rewards, such as, you know, "You're gonna have this little pinch and then you're going to get 30 minutes of play time."
Now that we've been doing the injections for some time, she's learned that the reward is really that her skin is less itchy, and she understands that the DUPIXENT injection helps heal the eczema patches on her skin, which she always would call her “boo-boos”.
Our lives don't revolve around Lila’s eczema as much anymore. We let her swim in the pool. We let her play outside in the heat, and her eczema is more controlled. I love that she doesn't have to worry about her eczema as much when she's doing the things that she enjoys. She can just be herself.
(12-17 years)
When kids grow into teenagers, they’re faced with a new set of challenges and experiences—especially when
they’re also dealing with eczema. Use the resources below to help guide your teen on their eczema journey.
“Communication and collaboration are key to figuring out what works for you and your child.”
—Cortney DiRussa, M.A. Behavioral Science Expert
As teens mature, some may take a more active role in managing their condition.
Here are a few pieces of advice from caregivers Yetunde and Sue, as well as
behavioral science expert Cortney DiRussa:
Encourage your teen to keep a journal of flare-ups and
symptoms so they can discuss any changes with their doctor.
Encourage your teen to take an active role in their care
and ask questions during appointments.
Create a care plan for when your teen is away from home,
including injection reminders, receiving and storing DUPIXENT
shipments, and administering injections.
Explore additional resources such as on-campus student health centers, telehealth appointments, or supplemental injection support from a DUPIXENT MyWay® Nurse Educator.
Help empower your teen to take charge of their eczema care with our Tip Sheet below.
View the videos below for advice and inspiration on guiding your teen through the
treatment process and adapting to your evolving role as a caregiver.
Advice for DUPIXENT Caregivers
INDICATION
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
Important Safety Information
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Please see additional Important Safety Information throughout this video and adjacent links for full Prescribing Information.
Individual results with DUPIXENT may vary.
Sponsored by Regeneron and Sanofi.
SUE:
The advice that I would give to caregivers is to make sure that you are reaching out to your doctor. Have conversations with them, involve them, ask them about different options. Tell them about your child’s struggles, and how they can help, and then do research, and then you can come to a decision about what option is best for your teenager.
ANA:
I want other people to know that there are options, but you have to be diligent. You have to keep asking, asking the same questions, even to the same people or to new people.
That day that someone just mentioned DUPIXENT—I didn't know anything about it before the day that the doctor mentioned it. But maybe if I knew about it before, I would have asked. The more moms that know what the different options are, the better.
YETUNDE:
When you're a caregiver of a teenager with atopic dermatitis, it's important for you to know that there are resources out there that you could take advantage of and also knowing that you're not alone.
Be a relentless advocate for your child and ask questions, because no doctor lives in your house and knows what they struggle with on a daily basis.
Understanding Your Caregiving Role
INDICATION
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
Important Safety Information
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Please see additional Important Safety Information throughout this video and adjacent links for full Prescribing Information.
Individual results with DUPIXENT may vary.
Sponsored by Regeneron and Sanofi.
VO:
ANA:
I think that Max has noticed how much he’s improved since being on DUPIXENT, and I’ve noticed that he’s taken more of, like, an active role in his care. Do you notice that?
SUE:
I do, yeah, yeah. I have had to step back a little bit in my role at those doctor’s appointments, which has been fantastic. I listen, and I have that overview, but I’m not the one speaking up for Annie.
Annie is having those one-on-one conversations with her doctor, and that gives me a sense of pride, that she knows she’s taking that proactive role. She knows how to advocate for herself.
YETUNDE:
Ore fondly refers to the day for her injections as DUPIXENT Saturday. We do have it on a calendar, but I don’t even think she looks at the calendar.
She just knows when it’s time to take her injections. So, I’m so proud of her for remembering to do that and just being more in control of her care.
ANA:
Max self-injects. His doctor taught him. But... I have to tell him when and where and what time, but he self-injects, and he feels like he’s really taking control and that he’s doing this, so he’s helping himself.
SUE:
Annie has not gotten to the point to selfinjecting yet. She is very nervous about needles. She knows that she actually needs to have somebody else give it to her, but she really carefully watches when is it time for her DUPIXENT, and she tracks it in her own journal, and she plugs everything into an app in her calendar, and so I definitely have hope for her in the future that she can take care of herself.
ANA:
So, Maxie's a lot better about preventive care. I don't have to chase him around the house to get him to moisturize. He actually does it himself. However, I have to tell him, remind him, write it on the wall, post it on the refrigerator, and just maybe 57 times the day that his injection is due. He does do it himself. But he, you know, he still needs to be reminded, many, many, many, many times over and over. If I tattooed it on his forehead, he'd still forget. But I'm going to continue to do it. And when he's out of the house and away at college, then I'll call him another 57 times to remind him. But at least he does it on his own, which is great, but I have to remind him still.
Transition of Care
For all teens, growing up and becoming more independent comes with a lot of responsibility.
I’m Cortney DiRussa, a behavioral scientist, and I am here to provide some tips to help empower your teen to take a more active role in their eczema care.
This transition can certainly be challenging, but our DUPIXENT® (dupilumab) patients and their caregivers are finding their way through it every day.
We’re going to talk with some real patients and caregivers about their experiences in just a moment.
First, please listen to some important information about DUPIXENT.
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin, or who cannot use topical therapies.
You should not use DUPIXENT if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT.
Please be sure to read and listen to the full Important Safety Information at the end of this video—and access the Full Prescribing Information including Patient Information using the links within the description.
Going back to our conversation about “transition of care...” For teens taking DUPIXENT, this transition comes with even more responsibility.
Let’s hear from two sets of parents and college-bound teens—Yetunde and Ore as well as Sue and Annie—who are figuring this out together.
Sue, can you share a little bit about Annie’s experience living with severe eczema?
SUE:
Yeah, Annie has had severe eczema since she was an infant, and we know it’s likely that she’ll have to live with that all of her life.
We really wanted her to understand her condition so she can manage it and stay ahead of her eczema.
So, growing up, we let Annie be as involved as she wanted to be with her treatments and her dermatologist appointments.
Even when she was as young as ten, we had her keep a journal of her flare-ups so she could tell the doctor in her own words what’s been happening with her skin.
CORTNEY:
Annie, how have you been taking on more responsibility for your eczema care?
ANNIE:
Yeah Cortney, I’ve learned a lot over the years about my skin and I’ve been applying my own lotions and moisturizing since I was eight.
I’m making progress toward self-injecting my DUPIXENT, but I’m not quite there yet.
SUE:
Now that she’s going off to college, we’ve really encouraged Annie to think more about self-injecting, and her doctor will train her when she’s ready.
CORTNEY:
You know your teen better than anyone. If they’re not ready to become more involved in their own care, I’d recommend that you start with small steps and see how it goes. Keeping a journal, like Annie did, is a great first step. Plus, having an accurate record of how your child is feeling day-to-day can make conversations with their doctor easier.
Another small step you could take is encouraging your child to speak directly with their providers during appointments and ask questions if they don’t understand something. That way, they can feel more involved in making important treatment decisions. Let’s hear from Yetunde, Ore’s mom, who can speak to this more.
YETUNDE:
Ore has had eczema since she was a baby. She has been more involved in her own care since she was about 15. That’s when she started talking directly with her dermatologist about her severe eczema and taking an active role in her own appointments. I loved seeing her step up like that.
CORTNEY:
And Ore, how did that feel for you?
ORE:
It felt good. That was also around the time my doctor began training me to self-inject, so it felt like a natural time to start speaking for myself a little bit more.
I want to make sure I mention that before I started DUPIXENT, I told my doctor about all the medical conditions I had…
…and medications I was taking. My doctor and I talked about the potential benefits and risks of treatment, including the most common side effects such as injection site reactions…
…and some serious side effects, including allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, eye problems, and joint aches and pain.
CORTNEY:
Just like Yetunde and Ore have shared with us, participating more at appointments is a process, and not something that happens overnight. The important thing is that you start preparing your child to one day manage their own care and become their own best advocate.
Annie, how ready do you feel to be a college student, away from mom and dad?
ANNIE:
I’m excited about going away to college. Living on my own will be a huge change for me. I also know that taking care of my skin is a priority.
SUE:
In the beginning, at least, we plan to share some of those responsibilities.
I’ll still order Annie’s DUPIXENT, make sure she gets it, but her job is to make sure she stays on schedule with her injections.
CORTNEY:
Annie, have you thought about who’s going to be doing your injections while you’re at college?
ANNIE:
Yeah, I’m thinking I may have a nurse at the student health center help me with my injections if I’m not ready to self-inject just yet. Either way, I’m sure my mom is going to be checking up on me.
SUE:
Oh, you can count on that!
CORTNEY:
So, communication and collaboration are key to figuring out what works for you and your child. That’s the case for Yetunde and Ore, too.
YETUNDE:
Ore is getting ready for college now. She will be about 500 miles from home. I think she’s ready to take on more ownership in caring for her eczema. We’re working on a plan now, so she can be prepared.
ORE:
I’m already thinking about my routine, how I’m going to keep my DUPIXENT refrigerated in the dorm, and how I will work with my specialty pharmacy to receive my shipments each month.
YETUNDE:
I’m excited for Ore. We’ve talked a lot about this transition, and our plan is coming together.
Ore is going to set reminders on her phone for her self-injections and for knowing where to inject each time.
CORTNEY:
Ore, are you planning on working with a new doctor once you get to college?
ORE:
Actually, I want to stick with my current doctor here at home while I’m away at school. If I need to see him, we can connect by telehealth.
CORTNEY:
Sue, starting a new chapter of life can be as stressful as it is exciting, so having a clear plan for how Annie will receive her DUPIXENT medication and what her injection routine is going to look like can be really helpful. How is your planning going with Annie?
SUE:
Like I said, we will share responsibilities initially, and I will share details about DUPIXENT MyWay® with her for helpful resources and extra support.
So we’re doing a little at a time, so we don’t overwhelm her.
ANNIE:
Yeah, just going to college is going to be a big enough transition!
CORTNEY:
Yetunde, every child and every situation is different, but that’s okay, right? Caregivers and their teens figure it out together. How would you describe your approach?
YETUNDE:
I think my approach is that I’m here to support Ore and help give her advice, absolutely! And even though it’s hard for me, I do need to take a step back from the day-today involvement in her care.
ORE:
I think that’s a good thing! Overall, we have a good plan, and I feel ready to take this on!
CORTNEY:
Now, as you consider your own child’s transition of care, here are some things to remember:
Talk with your child regularly so that you understand their point of view and treatment preferences.
Encourage your child to speak directly with their healthcare provider. This will prepare them to manage their own care and become their own best advocate one day.
Discuss a care plan before your child leaves home.
And remember, you can always find additional support and “transition of care” resources on DUPIXENT.com.
Please make sure to read and listen to the following Important Safety Information. Thanks for watching!
(18+ years)
Independently managing eczema for the first time can feel daunting. Listen to two young adults as they
transition to taking over their own care with some practical tips and advice.
Watch Adante and Cristal, two young adults living with
eczema, discuss taking ownership of caring for their skin.
VO:
Sponsored by Regeneron and Sanofi.
CORTNEY:
Hi, I’m Cortney DiRussa, a behavioral scientist here with a question for you: What does taking DUPIXENT® (dupilumab) look like when you’re living on your own for the first time?
This “transition of care” can be a big step, and there’s a lot to consider. You may need to find a new healthcare provider or create a plan to continue seeing your current provider.
You will need to navigate insurance, manage your treatment, and learn to advocate for yourself. But you know what? DUPIXENT patients are doing just that every day.
You’re going to hear from some real patients about how they have taken the lead in their own care in just a moment.
First, please listen to some important information about DUPIXENT.
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin, or who cannot use topical therapies.
You should not use DUPIXENT if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT.
Please be sure to read and listen to the full Important Safety Information at the end of this video—and access the full Prescribing Information including Patient Information using the links within the description.
Now, let’s hear from Cristal and Adante, two working adults in their 20s who take DUPIXENT for their moderate-to-severe eczema.
CORTNEY:
Cristal, I’d love for you to tell us how you became fully responsible for your own care.
CRISTAL:
Well, I’ve had eczema since I was a baby. Growing up, my parents were really active in caring for my eczema. But as I entered my teen years, they let me “own it” more. Also, as a teenager, I started taking a more active role in managing my own prescription topical creams and ointments. I understood my skin more and began leading the conversations with my doctor.
CORTNEY:
Adante, when did you start taking a more active role in your eczema care?
ADANTE:
I’ve had eczema for as long as I can remember. My mom was a registered nurse, so she always helped me care for my skin growing up. I’d say I started taking more responsibility of my eczema when I was in high school. I started doing my own research, watching videos about eczema online, and keeping track of my flare-ups.
CORTNEY:
When they were younger, Cristal and Adante had a lot of support from their parents in managing their conditions. As they grew up, they both started taking a more active role in their care, which is common. But sometimes there are unexpected challenges. Let’s see how Cristal and Adante responded in those moments.
CRISTAL:
My symptoms became worse when I was away from home at college. My usual treatments weren’t keeping my eczema under control. I asked my dermatologist for something different. And that's when we decided to start treatment with DUPIXENT.
CORTNEY:
And how big of a decision was that for you?
CRISTAL:
That was a huge decision for me. I took time to research it, and I talked it over with my parents. They said that they’d support me 100% with whatever I decided and that it was my call. Before I started DUPIXENT, I discussed with my doctor all the medical conditions I had and medications I was taking. My doctor and I talked about the potential benefits and risks of treatment, including the most common side effects such as injection site reactions and some serious side effects, including allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, eye problems, and joint aches and pain.
ADANTE:
I had already started DUPIXENT by the time I moved to a new city for my first job. But I needed to find a new dermatologist in my area.
COURTNEY:
Did you ask your mom for help with that?
ADANTE:
My mom was hundreds of miles away. She wasn’t going to find someone for me. That was something I had to do. I spent a lot of time reading reviews online and trying to find someone who I felt would understand eczema on my skin tone.
CORTNEY:
How was your experience, Cristal?
CRISTAL:
It seemed a little overwhelming at first, having to make my own dermatologist appointments, learning to self-inject, and working with DUPIXENT MyWay® to get set up with a specialty pharmacy. But I tried to be patient with myself and took things step-by-step.
CORTNEY:
Good for you. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times when you first start taking on responsibility for your own care. How did you start feeling more comfortable with self-injecting?
CRISTAL:
After I was properly trained by my doctor, I followed his instructions on self-injection and got more comfortable with it after giving myself the injection the first couple of times.
ADANTE:
For me, there was a learning curve. I had to try to figure out a routine that worked for me. I started putting reminders in my phone for when to take my DUPIXENT out of the fridge, when to inject it, and where to inject it. Eczema is a chronic condition, and since I’m on my own now, it’s on me to make sure I don’t miss a dose.
CORTNEY:
Of course, while you’re getting comfortable with your new routine, it’s a good idea to talk with your parent or caregiver and let them know how you’re adjusting. They might be able to help you think through how your new schedule or environment may disrupt your injection routine, and how you can adapt.
CRISTAL:
I think the most important thing to do when you’re becoming more independent is to advocate for yourself.
ADANTE: There are a lot of resources out there to help you figure things out. Ask a lot of questions. Be confident and just know you can do this!
CORTNEY:
That’s great advice from Adante and Cristal! Here are a couple of other things to consider as you’re making your “transition of care.”
You may want to ask your doctor to assist with the switch to a new provider by preparing a medical summary to share with them.
When speaking with a new doctor, you'll want to share your health history, let them know all the medications you may be taking, and ask questions to make sure it's a good fit.
Also, your health insurance may change as you move away from your parents’ insurance or start a new job. Make sure that your health insurance is all set up. It will be important to take the time to understand your coverage and ask your new provider if they take your insurance. Notify your pharmacy of any changes to your prescription insurance. You can always contact the DUPIXENT MyWay Support Team if you have questions.
You’ll want to find an injection routine that works for you. Remember to set reminders for yourself in your phone.
And remember, you can always find additional support and “transition of care” resources on DUPIXENT.com.
Please make sure to read and listen to the following Important Safety Information. Thanks for watching!
Whether due to new a new living location or
personal preference, young adults may have reason
to find a new healthcare partner. Here are some
useful things to keep in mind:
Ask their current provider for a medical summary. Remember, your doctor is always the best source of information.
Check in with them to ensure that they feel their new provider is a good fit.
Review their insurance coverage. DUPIXENT MyWay® can help with this. Call 1-844-DUPIXENT.
Remind them that establishing a treatment routine is an important part of staying on track with treatment.
Additionally, take ownership of your eczema care with our Tip Sheet below.
Caregiving is a journey, and every journey is made easier with a little support.
Explore below to find helpful tips and information from other caregivers.
This new podcast from DUPIXENT explores common
challenges faced by caregivers along with practical advice
from behavioral experts on how to overcome them.
Browse our full collection of videos on
YouTube for more real caregivers and patients
talking about their lives with DUPIXENT.
Hoping to learn more? If you’ve had a discussion with your healthcare provider about DUPIXENT or have been prescribed DUPIXENT, register online today to talk one-on-one with trained Patient or Caregiver DUPIXENT Mentors to discuss life with moderate-to-severe eczema and hear about their personal journey with DUPIXENT.
Caring for children with moderate-to-severe eczema is not easy. Here are the stories of a few individuals
who, like you, face challenges as caregivers of children with eczema. Their journeys led them to DUPIXENT.
Caregiver, Mom, Psychologist
St. Louis, MO
Daughter, Calla, has
uncontrolled skin rashes on
shins and elbows
“Don't settle. You can get
complacent and think
you're doing okay, but
there may be options
you haven't considered.”—Jill, Calla’s Mom
Age 9, daughter to Jill
Living with severe eczema
Enjoys soccer and swimming
Calla’s background and symptoms:
Treatments used:
Discover results with DUPIXENT in
patients ages 6 to 11.
Caregiver, Mom, IT Specialist
Hilliard, OH
Daughter, Ore, struggles with
itchy skin on her hands, ankles,
and feet
“Advocate for your child
relentlessly. That might
require research and
asking lots of questions.”—Yetunde, Ore’s Mom
Age 17, daughter to Yetunde
Living with severe eczema
Loves music and theater
Ore's background and symptoms:
Treatments used:
Discover results with DUPIXENT in
patients ages 12 to 17.
Caregiver, Mom, Teacher
Portland, CT
Daughter, Lila, suffers from
red, bumpy patches on her
arms and legs
“Trust your gut. Talking
to my doctor was a
tremendous help for me.”—Alisa, Lila’s Mom
Age 4, daughter to Alisa
Living with severe eczema
Likes playing outdoors
Lila's background and symptoms:
Treatments used:
Discover results with DUPIXENT in
patients ages 6 months to 5 years.
View Results in
young children
Eczema is caused by an overly active immune system that produces more inflammation under the skin than normal.
Topical medicines alone may not be enough to control your loved one's moderate-to-severe eczema.
Watch the video below to take a look inside
the science of what causes eczema
symptoms and how DUPIXENT may help.
A Look Inside
Please stay tuned until the end of the video for the full Important Safety Information.
Today we’re going to be learning more about uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis), and how DUPIXENT® (dupilumab) might be able to help.
Think about how eczema (atopic dermatitis) has impacted your skin. You have the next possible flare-up, your ongoing symptoms, and trying to manage them. The topical prescription lotions, creams, and steroid treatments you’ve been prescribed may not be working as well as you would like, and that can be frustrating. Well, eczema is more than a chronic skin condition that appears on the surface of the skin. It's a disease caused in part by an overactive immune system that leads to more inflammation than normal in your body.
In people with eczema, immune cells in the deeper layers of the skin send too many inflammatory signals to the surface, causing an itchy rash.
This inflammation can cause red, dry patches that lead to ongoing symptoms, like itching and scratching.
And continuous scratching breaks down the outer layer of the skin, which allows germs, irritants, and allergens to get in.
In response to these invaders, your immune system continues to send inflammatory signals to the surface, causing even more redness and itching.
So, what if there was another way to help address a source of inflammation that can cause the itch-scratch cycle?
Let’s take a look at DUPIXENT.
Unlike topical steroids, DUPIXENT works by targeting an underlying source of inflammation deep beneath the skin to help prevent flare-ups on the surface.
DUPIXENT works beneath the skin by attaching to certain proteins on the immune cells, inhibiting—or blocking—some of the inflammatory signals that contribute to eczema.
Think of it like this: There are calls you want to receive, like calls from friends and family. But then, there are those pesky spam calls.
If you add a spam filter to your phone that helps lower the amount of pesky calls, you can answer the calls you do want to receive.
By blocking some of these overactive signals—much like reducing the number of pesky calls you receive—DUPIXENT helps to reduce the inflammation that leads to symptoms you see and feel on the surface of your skin.
That means clearer skin and noticeably less itch. Of course, as you consider DUPIXENT, it’s good to keep in mind that if you have a parasitic (helminth) infection, you should talk to your doctor about having that treated before starting DUPIXENT. In a 52-week clinical trial with adults taking DUPIXENT plus a topical corticosteroid (TCS) (compared to those taking a TCS only), nearly 3 times saw clear or almost clear skin (39% versus 12% on TCS only at 16 weeks).
And, 22% of adults taking DUPIXENT plus TCS saw clear or almost clear skin at both 16 and 52 weeks versus 7% on TCS only.
Nearly 4 times had significant itch reduction at 1 year (51% at 52 weeks versus 13% on TCS only). 59% had significantly less itch versus 20% on TCS only at 16 weeks, and 18% had itch reduction in as fast as 2 weeks vs 8% on TCS only.
DUPIXENT was studied in 3 clinical trials with more than 2,100 adults with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema.
The most common side effects in patients with eczema include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, dry eye, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia). Remember, eczema is a chronic condition. It’s important to take your medication exactly as your doctor prescribes.
So, get ready to get ahead of your symptoms with DUPIXENT, and roll up those sleeves—DUPIXENT helps heal your skin from within.
INDICATION DUPIXENT
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT.
Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking oral, topical or inhaled corticosteroid medicines or if you have atopic dermatitis and asthma and use an asthma medicine. Do not change or stop your corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine to come back.
DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:
The most common side effects in patients with eczema include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, dry eye, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It’s an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your healthcare provider will decide if you or your caregiver can inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to prepare and inject DUPIXENT until you or your caregiver have been trained by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it’s recommended DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. In children 6 months to less than 12 years of age, DUPIXENT should be given by a caregiver.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
US.DUP.23.09.0090 February 2024
Your immune system is made up of cells that talk to each other. In chronic inflammatory conditions, sometimes they talk too much. Biologics work to disrupt the conversation when cells are talking too much.
The DUPIXENT MyWay copay card may help eligible,
commercially insured patients cover the out-of-pocket cost of
DUPIXENT. Eligible patients can enroll online and will receive
their cards by email. Terms & Restrictions Apply.
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