Most eczema patients scratch until skin is torn despite knowing it is bad for them. Open wounds weaken skin barrier and further worsens their eczema condition. While medical theory advises against scratching, eczema patients compare that to holding their bladder - impossible and uncomfortable. Being stuck in the itch-scratch cycle causes patients to feel extremely helpless and guilty about their own condition. Rollo is an itch relief device designed with a textured rollerball, for patients to seek physical relief during a flare-up. The rolling mechanism eliminates dragging on the skin, ensuring that skin will not be torn regardless of how vigorously it is used. Ideally made of stainless steel, the ball provides a naturally cooling feeling that will further soothe inflamed skin without the hassle of refrigerating it.

Rollo presents a lifestyle approach to eczema solutions. Beyond solving the problem, this companion aims to improve the way patients manage eczema in their daily lives by reducing the impact of eczema in psychological and social aspects.

The dermatologist highlighted that "[any texture], no matter how gentle, will damage the skin when rubbed hard or long enough."

Why rolling

To create a safer experience, dermatologists and skin researchers were consulted in the process. The dermatologist highlighted that "[any texture], no matter how gentle, will damage the skin when rubbed hard or long enough." This insight reveals that the key to a safer experience lies in eliminating drag, revealing a gap in existing scratchers as they hinge upon patients' own self control to stop before skin is torn. The smooth and uninterrupted rollerball mechanism, conversely, allows patients to safely lose themselves in the moment of unbearable itch.

How pressing relieves itch

During a flare-up Rollo can be rolled over itchy skin. Textures on the ball repeatedly presses into the skin, created a sensation scientifically referred to as mild pain. These pain signals interrupts itch signals to the brain to provide physical relief, working similarly to the idea of making an X over your mosquito bite.

Translating texture to sensation

Texture on the ball determines the way it interacts with the surface of the skin, affecting the amount of relief the device provides. 25 different textures were created with rapid-prototyping and tested with patients. Taking a more systematic approach, the spotted design was selected for further iterations to create a range of sensations. The 3 parameters explored were 1. Shape of peak, 2. Peak height and 3. Distance between peaks. Parameters were tweaked to find the sweet spot that is neither too gentle nor too harsh.

14 designs were then further tested by 13 eczema patients, who ranked each of them by the relief and sense of safety it provides. A final design is chosen as it achieves a balance of relief and safety, quickly providing a sensation comparable to scratching with one's fingers.

Safety is key

A drag test was also conducted as suggested by the skin researcher. Textures were rolled over carbon paper to visualise the way it interacts with the surface of our skin. It's imprints were then analysed for any sign of dig or drag. The chosen texture, highlighted in brown, creates imprints of clean even dots. This signifies that there is no dragging as it only exerts a downward pressure onto the skin. This test is a crucial step to verify a design's safety as it have the ability to reveal potential harm of long-term usage. A fading tail can be observed in the imprints of the 1st texture, indicating signs of digging. Seemingly gentle to the skin, this texture may cause harm in the long run and is thus not safe for use.

Eczema products should co-exist with our daily lives.

Designed for hygiene and a positive impression

The ball is housed in a simple three-part holder comprising a main body and a cap. The holder and ball can be easily taken apart for effortless maintenance and to encourage frequent washing. The cap also keeps the ball clean when patients bring it around during the day. The size and grip of the holder have also been optimised to fit into the palm of one's hand, so users will no longer feel self-conscious about tending to their eczema needs in public. Crevices and screw threads are also intentionally avoided in the holder as dead skin tends to accumulate in those areas of a product. They look unhygienic and unkempt, giving off a negative impression.

Product Identity

The psycho-social impacts of eczema are frequently overlooked. Existing eczema products tend to be embarrassing for public use or feel impersonal and clinical. Beyond solving the problem and creating products that are desirable, the designer believes that eczema products should coexist with one's daily life. It should be comfortable for use as patients go about their day, and should enable them to better manage their chronic condition.

Rollo presents a lifestyle approach to eczema solutions. It is designed as an intervention tool to help eczema patients cope with their flare-ups instantaneously. Beyond providing physical relief, this companion aims to reduce the impact of eczema in psychological and social aspects through bridging the misalignment between medical theory and patients' realities in itch relief.

With further testing, Rollo will be able to unlock its potential to extend its benefits beyond eczema patients to those who suffer from other chronic itch conditions.