Can Early Emollient Use Prevent Atopic Dermatitis?

In addition to research into treating atopic dermatitis (AD), there is a growing body of study dedicated to the prevention of the condition. Currently, there is no scientific consensus on the prevention of AD, however, several potential options have been theorized and tested.

What do emollients do?

One of these potential prevention techniques is early emollient use. Emollients are a type of skin moisturizer that are often used to treat AD, as well as to increase skin hydration, prevent dry skin, reduce itchiness, repair the skin barrier, and more.¹

Can repairing the skin barrier prevent AD?

Although the exact cause of AD is unknown at this time, most theories center around, or include in part, a faulty or damaged skin barrier. Since a faulty skin barrier may play a role in the development of AD, several experts have theorized that taking steps early in life to repair the skin barrier or prevent cracking of the skin may help reduce an individual’s risk of developing AD.

Is there research on early emollient use?

Multiple studies have arisen in recent years to test the impact of early emollient use on the development of AD. These studies often focus on newborn babies who are at an increased risk of developing AD. These babies are typically identified based on their parents’ or other family members’ history with AD or other similar allergic conditions (such as asthma). Emollients are used on these newborns every day (sometimes multiple times a day) for the first six months to one year of life.

What does the research entail?

In one such study, roughly half of the participating families were instructed to use one of three emollients at least once a day every day for the first six months of life (starting before three weeks old). The remaining families were not instructed to use emollients. Over 100 families with infants deemed to be at a higher risk of developing AD participated in the study.

These families had regular check-ins with members of the research team throughout the six-month period in order to ensure that emollients were regularly being used in the treatment group as well as to check for signs of AD development in both groups.

What were the results?

By the six-month check-in, the infants in the emollient group had a 50% reduction in risk of developing AD when compared to their counterparts in the non-emollient group.

While this study does indicate that early emollient use may decrease the risk of developing AD before six months of age, more research is needed to determine the impact on early emollient use beyond the six-month point.²

Is there a trend?

Two other studies in recent years demonstrated similar trends, with one study’s emollient-receiving infant population experiencing a decrease in risk of developing AD through eight-months old.³ The second study used a specific ceramide-dominant emollient, and showed a decrease in risk of developing AD at the six- and 12-month points.⁴

These studies also theorized that early emollient use may impact the development of food sensitivities, however, more research is needed to investigate this potential link.^3,4

What's the consensus?

Overall, more research is needed to determine the potential preventative effects of early emollient use on AD development, however, several studies point toward a relationship between early emollient use and an overall decrease in AD risk.