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Skin barrier dysfunction is thought to be central to the development of eczema and may lead to food and inhalant sensitization. Small pilot studies have suggested that daily application of emollients may prevent eczema in high-risk infants. This hypothesis has now been further studied in two large prospective trials.
In the first trial, 1394 newborns in the U.K. at risk for eczema (based on a family history of atopic disease) were randomized to a daily emollient or usual care until age 1 year. At age 2 years, there was no significant difference in rates of eczema diagnoses between the emollient and control groups (23% and 25%). In addition, there was an increased rate of reported skin infections and a trend toward more egg allergy in the emo…