The American Academy of Dermatology (ADD) has published guidelines of care for the prevention and management of atopic dermatitis in paediatric patients. 

Commonly known as eczema, atopic dermatitis is the most common skin disease, affecting up to 25% of children worldwide. 

A long-lasting inflammatory skin disease, eczema can cause itchy skin, dry patches, rashes and rough bumps. 

Murad Alam, AAD President and board-certified dermatologist, said: “Eczema is extremely common in children, although it doesn’t always look or behave the same way it does in adults. 

“Because eczema can decrease the quality of life of children and their families, we need dedicated guidelines just for children to ensure their best care.”

The new guidelines recognise the unique safety, dosing and patient-caregiver-clinician interactions of paediatric patients to guide dermatologists through treatment and prevention options. 

Published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD), the guidelines were developed by a group of 14 experts, including 11 board-certified dermatologists and one paediatric allergist. 

For the prevention of eczema in children aged six months to three years, the guidelines conditionally recommend moisturisers. A conditional recommendation is given to interventions where the benefits are closely balanced with risks and burdens. 

Along with providing 26 evidence-based recommendations for treatments, including moisturisers, topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical corticosteroids and phosphodiesterate-4 inhibitors, multiple conditional recommendations were also made. 

The AAD strongly recommended against systemic corticosteroids as they should only be used as a short-term bridge therapy for sudden, severe flares. 

Dawn Davis, co-chair of the AAD’s Atopic Dermatitis Guideline Workgroup and board-certified dermatologist, said: “These 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."