Emollient Use in Preventing Atopic Dermatitis – What Does the Evidence Say?

Background:

Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects an estimated 43 million children aged 1–4 years and remains a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease. While emollients are widely used for symptom relief, their role in preventing AD, particularly in high-risk infants, is still under debate.

Study Summary:

A comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis (Aug–Sept 2023) analyzed randomized clinical trials from the past five years, sourced from Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Medline. Search terms included “atopic dermatitis,” “emollients,” and “prevention.”

11 randomized trials met inclusion criteria
6 studies reported no significant benefit of emollients in preventing AD in at-risk newborns
Remaining studies showed mixed or modest protective effects

Key Takeaways for Clinical Practice:

Safety: Emollient use in newborns is generally safe; most formulations are non-irritating and well-tolerated.
Efficacy: Evidence supporting emollient use for primary prevention of AD in high-risk infants remains inconclusive.
Cost Considerations: Emollients are often costlier than standard skincare routines, raising concerns about routine prophylactic use in non-risk populations.

Clinical Implications:

While emollients remain a mainstay in managing AD symptoms, their preventive utility—especially in infants without a strong family history or genetic predisposition—requires further validation. Clinicians should tailor recommendations based on individual risk profiles, and inform caregivers about uncertain preventive benefits versus established symptomatic relief.

Reference:

Grześk-Kaczyńska M, et al. Should Emollients Be Recommended for the Prevention of Atopic Dermatitis?—New Evidence and Current State of Knowledge. J Clin Med. 2024;13(3):863. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13030863

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