Recent analysis of various published studies noted how applying skin moisturizers or emollients early on can effectively prevent AD among infants that are at high risk. This study was published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology.
Atopic Dermatitis a.k.a. Eczema
According to SciTechDaily, atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is the most common recurrent, chronic, and inflammatory skin condition among children. The skin condition affects 5% to 30% of children all around the world.
Medical News Today notes how there is currently no cure for the skin condition. Treatment mainly focuses on symptoms, healing of the skin, and prevention of potential flare-ups. This is mainly conducted through the use of medications and guidelines for moisturizing and bathing.
Among those who suffer with the condition, most of them have to go through continuous dryness of the skin, rash, cutaneous dysbiosis, and epidermal barrier that is defective. The condition itself is linked to life quality impairments and higher burdens among those with poorly managed conditions.
Other than that, several subjects of eczema are also more likely to have other atopic conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergies. Hence, it is of equal importance to understand potential eczema mechanisms in order to come up with strategies to effectively prevent and treat the conditions.
Skin Moisturizers Can Help Prevent Eczema
In the aforementioned study, researchers discovered how adding emollients or moisturizers early on may effectively prevent eczema among infants that have high risks of developing it.
The said analysis included 3,483 infants that covered 11 random trials that were controlled. Three emollient types, such as emulsion and cream, as well as mixed types were seen to be comparable when it comes to the prevention of eczema. However, further analysis showed that emollient emulsion could be the most viable and best option.
According to Medical News Today, emollients are capable of stopping water from evaporating from the surface of the skin. Associate professor Dr. Angela Lamb also notes how the condition is caused by a variety of things. However, one primary contributor is how the skin lacks the crucial protein that holds water within. Various emollient kinds include sprays, creams, ointments, and lotions.
On top of this, the NCE or National Eczema Association notes how ensuring that one's skin moisture is kept intact is one of the most essential things to do when it comes to controlling eczema. The NCE further mentions how using lotions and moisturizers can help safeguard the skin's outermost layer called the skin barrier or stratum corneum.
Those who are dealing with the condition have skin barriers that are damaged. Because of this, their skin is more sensitive to allergens, bacteria, irritants, and other intruders. When the skin barrier is damaged, it also makes it more difficult to keep water within the skin. This leads to itchy and dry skin and can cause atopic dermatitis or other types of skin conditions to worsen or flare-up.
Read also: Eczema Treatment: Scientists Identified Three Plant Derivatives to Soothe Dry, Cracked, Sore Skin
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