Summary of Research on Emollient Treatment and Atopic Dermatitis Prevention in Children

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a persistent, itchy skin condition with a complicated origin, impacting approximately 43 million children aged 1 to 4 years. Emollient therapy is a well-known approach to relieve AD symptoms, with variations based on formulation and additional active ingredients. Some studies suggest that emollients may help prevent AD in children at high risk.

A literature review was conducted using the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Medline from August to September 2023, using keywords such as “atopic dermatitis,” “emollients,” and “prevention.” Only randomized clinical trials published in the last five years were included in the meta-analysis.

Out of the initial findings, only 11 randomized clinical trials met the criteria, and six of these indicated that emollients did not effectively prevent atopic dermatitis in newborns at risk.

To conclude, emollient treatment is generally safe, with most ingredients being nonirritating for sensitive skin in newborns and infants. There is some evidence supporting the beneficial effects of emollients in preventing AD among at-risk populations. However, the relatively high cost of emollient treatments compared to standard infant skincare routines highlights the need for further research on their efficacy in non-risk populations.

Source: Grześk-Kaczyńska M, Petrus-Halicka J, Kaczyński S, Bartuzi Z, Ukleja-Sokołowska N. Should Emollients Be Recommended for the Prevention of Atopic Dermatitis?—New Evidence and Current State of Knowledge. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024; 13(3):863. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13030863

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