There Is No Way To Prevent Childhood Eczema

According to SAEDNEWS, citing HealthDay News, researchers reported that studies have not shown that common methods such as special diets, avoiding bathing, breastfeeding, or probiotic supplements can help prevent eczema in children, also known as atopic dermatitis.

However, according to these guidelines, children who do develop eczema have a wide range of effective treatments available to help relieve itchy skin.

The Academy stated that these are the first pediatric-specific eczema guidelines issued by the organization.

Dr. Murad Alam, president of the American Academy of Dermatology, said in a press release: “Eczema in children is very common, although it does not always look or behave like it does in adults.”

Alam said: “Because eczema can reduce the quality of life for children and their families, we need dedicated pediatric guidelines to ensure the best care for them.”

Researchers noted in background comments that eczema affects up to one-quarter of children worldwide. This inflammatory skin condition is characterized by itchy skin, dry patches, rashes, and rough bumps.

The guideline team concluded, after reviewing available medical evidence, that there is no truly effective way to prevent a child from developing eczema.

Moisturizers were the only intervention recommended to reduce eczema incidence in children aged 6 months to 3 years.

The authors found insufficient evidence for other preventive approaches such as dietary changes, avoiding bathing, vitamin D or probiotic supplements, early food introduction, breastfeeding, or reducing exposure to allergens such as dust.

Alam said: “Many cases of childhood eczema can be improved with a treatment plan tailored to the child’s needs, and early treatment can help prevent the condition from worsening.” Proven treatment options include:

• Moisturizers to soothe dry and itchy skin.
• Topical steroid creams, considered first-line treatment for eczema.
• Topical calcineurin inhibitors (pimecrolimus cream or tacrolimus ointment) for managing flare-ups.
• Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors (crisaborole ointment and roflumilast cream) to reduce itching and flare frequency.
• Topical JAK inhibitors (ruxolitinib cream and tapinarof cream) to reduce severity of dryness and itching in mild to moderate eczema.
• Monoclonal antibodies (dupilumab, tralokinumab, and lebrikizumab) to reduce severity, flare-ups, and itching in moderate to severe eczema.
• JAK inhibitors (upadacitinib, abrocitinib, and baricitinib) to reduce symptoms and itching in moderate to severe eczema.

The guidelines also provide conditional recommendations for bathing, wet-wrap therapy, and phototherapy as treatments for children with eczema.

They strongly advise against the use of steroid pills or injections, arguing these should be reserved only for severe sudden flare-ups.

They also conditionally discourage topical antimicrobial treatments and a combined drug/light therapy called PUVA phototherapy.