{"id":387244,"date":"2026-04-08T00:41:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T00:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/387244\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T00:41:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T00:41:18","slug":"american-academy-of-dermatology-issues-first-ever-pediatric-atopic-dermatitis-guidelines-highlighting-prevention-strategies-and-effective-treatments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/387244\/","title":{"rendered":"American Academy of Dermatology Issues First-Ever Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Guidelines, Highlighting Prevention Strategies and Effective Treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"

Newswise \u2014 ROSEMONT, Ill. (April 7, 2026) \u2014 For the first time in its history, the American Academy of Dermatology<\/a> (AAD) has published guidelines of care for both the prevention<\/a> and management<\/a> of atopic dermatitis (commonly known as eczema) in pediatric patients. While pediatric and adult eczema share similarities, these guidelines recognize the unique safety, dosing, and patient-caregiver-clinician interactions of individuals under the age of 18.<\/p>\n

The most common pediatric skin disease, eczema affects up to 25% of children worldwide. It is a long-lasting inflammatory skin disease often marked by itchy skin, dry patches, rashes, and rough bumps.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEczema is extremely common in children, though it doesn\u2019t always look or behave the same way it does in adults,\u201d said AAD President and board-certified dermatologist Murad Alam, MD, FAAD. \u201cBecause eczema can decrease the quality of life of children and their families, we need dedicated guidelines just for children to ensure their best care.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new guidelines, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology<\/a> (JAAD), will guide dermatologists in deciding the best possible prevention and treatment options for pediatric patients. The guidelines were developed by a working group of 14 experts, including 11 board-certified dermatologists and one pediatric allergist.<\/p>\n

Prevention<\/p>\n

Because eczema is so common and can significantly affect a child\u2019s health, there is strong interest in identifying ways to help prevent it. However, current research shows that supplemental therapies like special diets or skipping baths aren\u2019t proven to prevent eczema.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moisturizers were the only treatment to receive a conditional recommendation for use to reduce the occurrence of eczema in children aged 6 months to 3 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Conditional recommendations reflect an intervention whose benefits are closely balanced with risks and burdens. These recommendations apply to most patients, but the most appropriate action may differ depending on the patient and presentation.<\/p>\n

The guidelines find insufficient evidence or no benefit to dietary or environmental interventions, including early food introduction, human milk consumption, probiotic or vitamin D supplementation, water softening, and dust mite avoidance.<\/p>\n

Treatment<\/p>\n

There are more treatments for eczema than ever before, though standard treatments like regular moisturizing remain effective in managing eczema in children.<\/p>\n

The guidelines provide 26 evidence-based recommendations for topical therapies (prescription and non-prescription), phototherapy, and systemic therapies based on the treatment’s reduction of eczema symptoms and itch severity, inclusive of the below.<\/p>\n

Strong recommendations reflect treatments in which benefits clearly outweigh the risks and burdens. These recommendations apply to most children with eczema in most circumstances. Strong recommendations were made for the use of the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moisturizers to reduce the severity of patients\u2019 dry, itchy skin.Topical calcineurin inhibitors (pimecrolimus 1% cream and tacrolimus 0.03% or 0.1% ointment) to manage patients\u2019 flares when their dry, itchy skin worsens and as intermittent maintenance therapy.Topical corticosteroids (steroid creams), considered a first-line treatment in most cases due to affordability and accessibility, to manage patients\u2019 flares and as maintenance therapy.Phosphodiesterate-4 inhibitors (crisaborole ointment and roflumilast cream) to reduce patients\u2019 itchiness and decrease the frequency of flares. When used proactively, roflumilast can keep skin clearer more consistently.Topical JAK inhibitors (ruxolitinib cream and tapinarof cream) to decrease the severity of the dry, itchy skin in patients with mild to moderate eczema.Monoclonal antibodies (dupilumab, tralokinumab, and lebrikizumab) to decrease the severity of eczema symptoms, reduce flares and improve itching in patients with moderate to severe eczema.JAK inhibitors (upadacitinib, abrocitinib, and baricitnib) to decrease the severity of eczema symptoms and improve itching in patients with moderate to severe eczema.<\/p>\n

Conditional recommendations were made for the use of treatments inclusive of the following:<\/p>\n

Bathing for treatment and maintenance for pediatric patients, followed by a moisturizer as standard care.Wet wrap therapy, under the guidance of a healthcare professional skilled in eczema management, are typically encouraged for patients during eczema flares.Phototherapy (light therapy) at a dermatologist\u2019s office can be used to treat patients with severe cases of eczema involving many body sites.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Strong recommendations were made against systemic corticosteroids, which should be reserved exclusively for patients with sudden, severe flares and as short-term bridge therapy. Conditional recommendations were made against the use of topical antimicrobials and PUVA phototherapy for children with eczema.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese guidelines were developed to educate and empower patients, caregivers, and the medical community so children with eczema receive the best care possible. Early, proactive intervention allows improvement in symptoms and quality of life for patients and their families,\u201d said board-certified dermatologist Dawn Davis, MD, FAAD, co-chair of the AAD\u2019s Atopic Dermatitis Guideline Workgroup. \u201cSince 2014, the landscape for eczema care has been transformed by the approval of new therapies for adults. Our goal was to review how these advancements relate to the pediatric population so children also receive optimal, individualized care.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMany children\u2019s eczema cases can be improved with a treatment plan made specially just for their needs, and starting treatment early can help keep the problem from getting worse,\u201d said Dr. Alam. \u201cPlease partner with a board-certified dermatologist to get expert care for your child\u2019s eczema.”<\/p>\n

To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit\u00a0aad.org\/findaderm.\u00a0<\/p>\n

# # #\u00a0<\/p>\n

Contact<\/p>\n

Shelby Homiston, shomiston@aad.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Nia Carter, ncarter@aad.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Media Relations, mediarelations@aad.org<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Resources<\/p>\n

Childhood Eczema<\/a><\/p>\n

About the AAD
Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 21,800 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care because skin, hair, and nail conditions can have a serious impact on your health and well-being. For more information, contact the AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or aad.org<\/a>. Follow @AADskin on Facebook<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Pinterest<\/a>, and YouTube<\/a>, and @AADskin1 on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: The AAD does not promote or endorse any products or services. This content is intended as editorial content and should not be embedded with any paid, sponsored or advertorial content as it could be perceived as an AAD endorsement.<\/p>\n

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