Health Highlights: July 6, 2017

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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Certain Staph Bacteria Linked to Eczema

Certain Staphylococcus bacteria are associated with eczema in children, a new study says.

U.S. National Institutes of Health researchers found that youngsters with the skin condition tended to have larger populations of Staphylococcus aureus living on their skin, while those without eczema tended to have more of a related bacteria called Staphylococcus epidermidis, NBC News reported.

The study was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

The next step is to try to determine if the staph bacteria cause eczema or are a side-effect, and whether they make symptoms more severe. That knowledge could lead to better treatments, NBC News reported.

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ALS Patient Who Inspired Ice Bucket Challenge to Receive Financial Help

The Lou Gehrig’s disease patient who was the driving force behind the Ice Bucket Challenge that’s raised hundreds millions of dollars for research into the fatal condition will receive some assistance in paying for his medical bills.

Pete Frates’ parents said his medical bills can total $80,000 to $95,000 a month, NBC News/Associated Press reported.

Frates, 32, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — ALS) in 2012. He and his family will be helped by a new ALS Association program that covers the uninsured cost of skilled home care for several patients in Massachusetts each year.

The Ice Bucket Challenge has raised more than $250 million for ALS research in three years, NBC News/AP reported.

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