A chronic skin condition that causes dry, itchy patches of thickened skin. It is both frustrating and debilitating. By now you may now what we are talking about. It is Eczema. While there is no definitive cure for Eczema, there are studies that highlight the potential of self-guided talk therapy that can actually alleviate its symptoms.

Eczema can flare up if you contact an irritant or an allergen. This condition weakens your skin's barrier function which helps your skin retain moisture and protects your body from outside elements. It is a type of dermatitis, a group of conditions that cause skin inflammation.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms include:

• Dry skin
• Itchy skin
• Skin rash
• Bumps on your skin
• Thick, leathery patches of skin
• Flaky, scaly or crusty skin
• Swelling

An eczema rash usually looks like a purple, brown or gray rash, depending on your skin tone, if it is on the darker shade. If you have a lighter skin tone, it may look pink, red or purple. While there is no cure, treatments are available, and now, it could also be achieved through self-talk therapy.

The Role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychological approach that helps individuals manage their responses to mental and physical health challenges. By identifying harmful behaviors and thought patterns, CBT guides people toward healthier coping mechanisms. Traditionally, CBT involves in-person sessions with a therapist, but researchers have now developed an online self-guided version tailored to eczema management.

ALSO READ: What Does Niacinamide Do For Your Skin?

The self-guided program teaches users to manage itching and other eczema symptoms through techniques like mindfulness and behavior modification. For instance, while scratching provides temporary relief, it can aggravate the condition. The program encourages alternative strategies, such as applying moisturizers or using meditation to diminish the urge to scratch.

Comparing Self-Guided and Therapist-Led CBT

To evaluate the effectiveness of this self-guided therapy, researchers conducted a 12-week study involving nearly 170 adults with eczema. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one used the online self-guided CBT program, while the other attended traditional therapist-led sessions.

The self-guided approach required significantly less time, with participants spending an average of 16 minutes per session compared to 50 minutes in therapist-led sessions. Despite the reduced time commitment, both groups experienced comparable improvements in symptom reduction and quality of life.

Expanding Access to Treatment

These findings indicate that self-guided CBT can serve as a practical and efficient alternative to traditional therapy. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who may not have access to psychologists or prefer not to engage in face-to-face therapy. The online format allows users to work at their own pace, making eczema management more accessible.

Implications Beyond Eczema

The success of self-guided CBT in managing eczema may have broader applications in dermatology and other chronic conditions. By reducing reliance on healthcare resources, this approach could pave the way for innovative treatments across various medical fields.

This study hopes to empower patients with tools to manage their conditions independently. While eczema remains a challenging condition, self-guided therapy offers a promising avenue for relief and improved quality of life.

Tennis great Björn Borg says he is taking life “day by day, year by year” after being diagnosed with an “extremely aggressive” form of prostate cancer, a revelation he saved for the final chapter of his new autobiography, reported AP. The 69-year-old, who underwent surgery in 2024 and is now in remission, told BBC Breakfast and later spoke to news outlets about the emotional toll of the diagnosis and the way he approaches follow-up testing.

Diagnosis, treatment and life in remission

In Heartbeats: A Memoir, co-written with his wife Patricia, Borg writes candidly about being told his cancer was “at its most advanced stage.” He said his doctor warned of “sleeping cancer cells” and told him it would be a fight in the years ahead, a battle Borg vowed to meet with familiar resolve. “I will fight every day like it’s a Wimbledon final,” he said. After an operation in 2024, Borg reports the cancer is in remission, but he stressed that regular six-monthly tests are now part of his life.

A champion’s mindset

Borg has long been associated with an ice-calm competitive temperament and a refusal to surrender on court. Now, he applies that same mentality to his health. Asked about the psychological impact, Borg conceded the diagnosis was “difficult psychologically,” but he countered that determination with pragmatism: tests, check-ups and an acceptance that his future will involve vigilant monitoring. The comparison to a Grand Slam final is more than rhetoric, it’s a metaphor he’s leaned on to frame the daily grind of recovery and watchful living.

Also Read: Björn Borg Shares His Experience Of Living With Prostate Cancer

Remembering the peak: Wimbledon, McEnroe and early retirement

Borg remains one of tennis’s defining figures: 11 Grand Slam singles titles, including five consecutive Wimbledon crowns and six French Open triumphs, a run that cemented his status as a dominant force in the 1970s and early 1980s. His 1980 Wimbledon final against John McEnroe, the near four-hour epic in which McEnroe saved seven championship points, is frequently cited among the sport’s greatest matches; Borg called it “the most satisfying match I ever played.” People reported the rivalry with McEnroe, branded “Fire and Ice,” later warmed into friendship: the two now see one another socially and speak about modern tennis rather than merely their past encounters.

The aftermath of early fame

Borg’s decision to retire unexpectedly in his mid-20s surprised the tennis world. In his memoir he explains that burnout, loss of motivation and a lack of a life plan contributed to a turbulent post-tennis period that included substance use and near-fatal incidents in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He writes openly about those years as part of a broader effort to explain who he is away from the court and how he rebuilt his life. Today, he says he’s “very happy with myself” after years of recovery and self-repair.

Looking forward: small steps, familiar grit

Borg’s account is both a personal reckoning and an implicit reminder about the importance of medical vigilance. He told interviewers that after the operation he has regular blood tests and scans, and that living with the possibility of recurrence is something he faces with the same focus he once reserved for match day. While he acknowledges the psychological weight of the diagnosis, his message is quiet but unambiguous: tackle each test, each day, with determination, and keep moving forward.

A new wellness trend is sweeping TikTok and Instagram, magnesium lotion, hailed by influencers as a natural fix for sleep troubles and a wide range of health issues.

The mineral magnesium plays an important role in the body, regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and energy production. Some studies have suggested that oral magnesium supplements may improve sleep, though evidence remains limited.

Now, influencers are going a step further by promoting magnesium in lotion or cream form, claiming it can do everything from balancing cortisol and insulin levels to relieving muscle soreness, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.

“Did you know rubbing magnesium cream on your child’s feet can help with sleep?” one TikTok user asks, promising it can also ease growing pains. Another swears by it for stopping leg cramps, while others call it “magic in a bottle.”

The claims may sound convincing, but are they backed by science?

The claim

Fans of magnesium lotion argue that applying it directly to the skin, especially the feet, can improve sleep. Others recommend using it across the body to tackle a range of issues, including mood swings and pain.

And people are buying into the hype. Market analysts estimate that the topical magnesium industry generated more than $400 million in 2024 alone.

The evidence

Despite the buzz, scientists say there is little proof that magnesium can be effectively absorbed through the skin.

“The problem with this is that the skin is a barrier, not a sponge,” explains dermatologist and Harvard researcher Nicholas Theodosakis. He notes that while some medicines are delivered transdermally via patches, magnesium has not been proven to work this way.

Most of the perceived benefits may come from the act of massaging lotion into the skin or from the moisturizing base itself. Creams often improve skin health regardless of added ingredients.

“You apply a lotion or ointment and your skin looks and feels better,” says Theodosakis. “That’s simply because creams promote hydration, not because magnesium is being absorbed.”

The nuance

Still, experts stop short of dismissing the trend entirely. Dr. John Winkelman, a Harvard sleep specialist, says he has had patients report success with products like “magnesium butter” for better sleep, as reported by NPR.

While he remains skeptical about the science, Winkelman acknowledges that placebo can be powerful, particularly when it comes to sleep. “If something is safe and helps my patients sleep, I’m not against it,” he says.

However, he emphasizes that he would not recommend magnesium lotion as a first-line treatment. Unlike drugs, supplements and related products are not evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and efficacy. That means there is no guarantee these lotions actually deliver what they promise.

For conditions like restless legs syndrome, which influencers often claim magnesium lotion can ease, proven medical therapies already exist. “It’s not fair to recommend things that haven’t been shown to be effective,” says Winkelman.

So, does magnesium lotion help you sleep better? Current evidence says no. But the good news is that experts agree it’s unlikely to do harm, aside from the cost.

Dermatologist Theodosakis adds that the popularity of such products reflects how closely skincare and wellness are tied to psychology and culture. “Skin is such a visible and personal part of us,” he notes. “It’s natural that trends latch onto it.”

For now, magnesium lotion remains more of a viral fad than a scientifically proven sleep aid. If it feels relaxing and helps you unwind at night, the benefit may simply come from the ritual itself — not the mineral inside the bottle.

A daily pill for weight loss can help people reduce their body weight by as much as a fifth, according to a large clinical trial that researchers say could reshape obesity treatment and make therapies more accessible. The drug, called orforglipron and manufactured by Eli Lilly, works by targeting the same GLP-1 receptors as popular injectable drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Vienna, followed 3,127 adults with obesity but no diabetes across multiple countries. After 72 weeks, one in five participants taking the pill lost 20% or more of their body weight, a result health experts are calling a potential breakthrough.

Also Read: Eli Lilly Sends Weight-Loss Pill For Approval: Is Oral GLP-1 As Effective As The Injections?

How Orforglipron Works

Orforglipron belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, medications that lower blood sugar, slow digestion, and suppress appetite. These drugs mimic hormones naturally released in the gut, signaling to the brain a feeling of fullness.

While injectable GLP-1 drugs have been hailed as transformative, a pill version is seen as a “holy grail” because it is easier to store, distribute, and take, reducing the barriers to treatment. Pills are also expected to be cheaper than weekly injections, widening access for millions.

Results of the 72-Week Trial

Participants were randomly assigned to receive different daily doses of orforglipron, ranging from 6 mg to 36 mg, or a placebo. All had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.

Average weight loss:

• 7.5% with the lowest dose (6 mg)
• 11.2% with the highest dose (36 mg)

Proportion of patients with major weight reduction on 36 mg:

• 54.6% lost at least 10% of body weight
• 36% lost at least 15%
• 18.4% lost at least 20%

Beyond weight reduction, the study noted improvements in blood pressure, waist circumference, and cholesterol levels. Side effects were mostly gastrointestinal, such as nausea and diarrhea, and were generally mild to moderate.

Lead researcher Dr. Sean Wharton of McMaster University said:

“This could mean an expansion of obesity interventions to groups who are currently excluded due to the cost of and lack of access to injectable medications.”

Why the Pill Matters

The rise of GLP-1 drugs has already begun to reshape obesity and diabetes treatment. But injections create added costs and logistical hurdles for health services. A pill that achieves similar results could be a turning point for how obesity is managed globally.

Experts stress, however, that while the pill’s results are promising, it is not yet approved by the FDA or other global regulators. Eli Lilly has said it expects strong demand once it launches, potentially within the next year.

Eli Lilly vs Novo Nordisk

The trial’s publication coincides with another headline-making announcement: Eli Lilly reported that orforglipron outperformed rival Novo Nordisk’s oral drug, oral semaglutide (Rybelsus), in Novo Nordisk's own head-to-head study on Type 2 diabetes patients.

Blood sugar control at 52 weeks:

• Orforglipron (36 mg): 2.2% reduction in HbA1c
• Oral semaglutide (14 mg): 1.4% reduction

Weight loss:

• Orforglipron: average 9.2% (19.7 pounds)
• Oral semaglutide: average 5.3% (11 pounds)

When including all patients regardless of discontinuation, weight loss with orforglipron was 8.2% compared to 5.3% with oral semaglutide.

Eli Lilly’s chief scientific officer Dan Skovronsky said the pill could serve as “the main medicine” for patients needing both diabetes and obesity management. Independent experts have also praised the results. Dr. Michael Weintraub of NYU Langone noted the pill’s blood sugar control is “impressive not only compared to other oral medications but also injectables.”

Caveats and Next Steps

Despite the strong results, analysts caution against declaring a clear winner in the oral weight-loss pill race. Novo Nordisk is awaiting FDA approval for a 25 mg version of oral semaglutide for obesity and has tested a 50 mg dose. Higher doses could narrow or close the gap between the two companies.

Dr. Jaime Almandoz of UT Southwestern Medical Center said:

“It’s a little too early to say that one is the leader in this class. But having head-to-head data helps doctors make better decisions for patients.”

Eli Lilly says it plans to apply for regulatory approval of orforglipron for diabetes in 2026, with a global launch expected as early as next year. Detailed results from its head-to-head study will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.