Still Preventable

Between April 6th — April 8th, all sales using the code StillPreventable will be donated to fund the production of Briana Banos’s “Still Preventable”.

A few weeks ago, on the fourth anniversary of her documentary release, we met an extraordinary human. Briana Banos is an eczema/TSWS advocate, writer, and the director of the documentary, “Preventable: Protecting our largest organ” a film exploring the world of Topical Steroid Addiction/Withdrawal (TSA/TSW) and Red Skin Syndrome (RSS) that garnered over 12,000 views in its first four days alone.

The National Eczema Association hailed “Preventable” as an important and powerful documentary: “Preventable has struck a chord with the skin condition community. Banos tells her own heart-wrenching story while providing an honest and respectful examination of the use (and misuse) of topical corticosteroids.”

Now in her 7th year of withdrawal, Briana continues using her voice and her platform to create change, alongside the nonprofit, ITSAN (The International Topical Steroid Awareness Network). She is just days away from rolling film for her second documentary, “Still Preventable” which proposes the following goals:

• Improve the understanding of Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome • Give validity to the condition • Showcase physical, psychological, and socio-economic burden of the condition • To spur legislative change in affirming stricter safety guideline usage of topical corticosteroids • Establish a need for parent protection in cases involving children going through withdrawal • Placing responsibility on governing bodies to protect patients

When we connected with her to discuss the impact of textiles (and chemicals in dye) on sensitive skin, Briana’s response was enthusiastic and edifying. She immediately took to her platform to share with her followers, raising the question: “why have chemicals and synthetics in textile become normalized — even presented as healthy alternatives specifically for individuals with eczema and sensitive skin — when they are responsible for exposing compromised skin barriers to known harmful ingredients?”

“And why is no one talking about this?”

This is what we too wish to know. At AIZOME, we take the utmost care to ensure that our products are the healthiest possible bedsheets -- for everyone -- but especially for those of us suffering with sensitive skin and eczema. In fact, AIZOME sheets are the only sheets currently approved by the National Eczema Association as an innovation to support individuals with eczema and sensitive skin. We have even conducted an antibacterial test and a study with Cambridge University to confirm the efficacy of indigo for wound care.

KAKEN antibacterial test: We submitted our fabric to be tested alongside a competitor’s, to prove the antibacterial properties of AIZOME sheets. The sheet samples were inoculated with the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which accounts for over 10 million outpatient visits and almost 500,000 hospital admissions in the United States each year. This bacteria is infamous for surviving in bed sheets and thriving for days. On the competitor’s sample, there was nearly a doubling of the bacteria present after 18 hours. AIZOME sheets, however, actively reduced the bacteria population by 70%. Not only does this prove that AIZOME sheets kill bacteria, it is a strong indication that the unique technological dyeing process preserves the integrity of the medicinal herbs that infuse our sheets.

Cambridge Study: We conducted a peer-reviewed study with interdisciplinary researchers – including Dr. Ali from the University of Cambridge – to substantiate the claims from traditional medicine that indigo supports skin healing. Data showed that applying indigo to skin wounds enhanced the healing process. The study was published in the Journal of Applied Biomedicine.

 

Click here to read why NEA accepted AIZOME sheets.

 

We at AIZOME were so moved by the tremendous educational and emotional impact of her first film, that we have decided to host a three-day fundraising event for “Still Preventable”. With an estimated cost of $30,886, this important documentary needs your help!

Between April 6th — April 8th, all AIZOME sales using the code StillPreventable will be donated in their entirety to fund the production of “Still Preventable”.

Not Familiar with Eczema and TSWS?

Eczema, a chronic skin condition found in both children and adults, has risen in prevalence over the years. More than 30 million people in the United States alone are diagnosed with this condition. Although more treatments have become available to this group of patients, the first line treatment is still topical corticosteroids. Varying in potency and modality, the chronic use of steroids in this community has given rise to a horrific, adverse reaction not recognized by many dermatologists. Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome, an iatrogenic condition brought on by the overuse of topical corticosteroids, is highly debilitating, resulting in many patients losing their jobs, the support of loved ones, and even taking their own lives. Due to alarmingly increased reports from patients experiencing these adverse effects connected with steroid use, it is imperative to better understand their cumulative effects in order to create appropriate usage guidelines and standard of care. However, there is still much pushback over Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome, a matter that cannot continue being treated as a misnomer.

About Briana Banos, Preventable, and Still Preventable

Briana releases bi-weekly clips on her YouTube channel showcasing the brave families and individuals willing to speak on the subject of TSWS. To learn more, visit brianabanos.com.

Preventable: Protecting Our Largest Organ, the first ever Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome documentary, was released in 2019. It showcased the suffering of patients and loved ones having to navigate the withdrawal process, as well as highlighted doctors who have been championing the cause. It continues to help open eyes in the medical community today, but there is still much that needs to be addressed and amplified before true change can occur.

Still Preventable aims to be a powerful catalyst for creating tangible change in the narrative of how this condition is seen in the medical world, as well as calling to action both policy makers and researchers to get behind the funding required to pass legislation that will establish firmer safety guidelines on these drugs. It will encourage dermatologic societies to integrate the patient experience into their understanding of eczema and TSWS, and it will house the voices of more professionals and doctors who are at the forefront of demonstrating to their medical peers that TSWS is a true and pressing matter when considering topical corticosteroids as a prolonged treatment.

 

Author: Megan Powers