Emollients Are Effective for the Prevention of Atopic Dermatitis

Incidence of AD was significantly lower in high-risk infants who received regular emollient application.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) incidence is rising. Prevention by allergen avoidance has largely been unsuccessful. The association between filaggrin gene mutations and AD susceptibility is unequivocal. Filaggrin maintains the skin barrier and so may prevent inflammatory responses to allergens and irritants that enter through defects in the barrier. Emollients enhance the skin barrier.

Investigators conducted two randomized, controlled trials to determine whether applying emollients might prevent AD in infants. In the first, infants at risk for AD (having affected first-degree relatives) were randomized to receive one of three emollients daily or none. Treatment begun within 3 weeks of birth and continued for 6 months significantly reduced AD incide…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)