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Common Misconceptions About Atopic Dermatitis in Children

If you're caring for a child with atopic dermatitis (AD), you've probably spent many nights reaching out to friends and searching for answers online. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice. We're here to help clear up misconceptions and myths about AD and give you some information that can help you confidently support your child and manage their symptoms.1,2

Some skin rashes that can look like atopic dermatitis, such as scabies and ringworm, can be passed from person-to-person. But atopic dermatitis isn't contagious. Your child didn't 'catch' AD from someone else, and they can't give it to others through touch or any other means. AD is a common type of eczema, a chronic skin condition. Flares are triggered by things in your child's environment, not by contact with other people.3-5

 

AD tends to run in families and is part of a group of atopic conditions linked to underlying inflammation in the body. These include allergic asthma and hay fever. If a parent or family member has AD or another atopic condition, then your child might develop AD. As they grow, they might get asthma and hay fever too.4,6-8

 

Read more about atopic dermatitis in children

Most people who have atopic dermatitis develop symptoms before the age of five, but AD isn't just a childhood problem. Adults can develop AD too, and 20% to 50% of kids with AD become adults who still have it.7 It's more likely your child will still have AD when they grow up if they started having signs and symptoms as an infant, have a severe case of AD, and they have a parent with an atopic condition.9,10

 

Read more about atopic dermatitis

Your child can still get flares even if you do everything you can to manage their environment and avoid triggers. It's important to do your best, but genetics and your child's immune system play a part in your child's symptoms. They are not things you can control.1,5,7

 

Read more about the management of atopic dermatitis

Up to one-third of children with atopic dermatitis also have food allergies, which can make AD flares worse. Feeding your infant a variety of foods in the first year of their life may lower their risk of food allergies and prevent severe AD. But AD is genetic and also related to the immune system, so foods alone don't cause AD.3,5,7 In some cases, certain foods may occasionally trigger exacerbations, such as:5 eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, fish, and some fruits.11 Your child's doctor can help you identify and manage any food triggers.7

 

Read more about atopic dermatitis and allergies

Can a bad AC unit cause dermatitis? What about a mouldy environment? No, they can't cause AD. But they can make it worse. Like some foods, environmental factors can act as triggers that activate inflammation under the skin. Your child's triggers will be unique to them, but mould, dust, and pollen are common ones. If these allergens are in your AC unit, they could set off symptoms. Follow your doctor's advice on managing these triggers.4,5,7

 

Read more about atopic dermatitis

It's normal to hope that your child's AD has healed during times when their skin is clear. But AD is a chronic condition that works beneath the surface. Even when skin looks healthy, there may be inflammation (type 2 inflammation) that can be activated by the next trigger.2,7 Not all kids outgrow their AD, and if your child has moderate-to-severe symptoms, they might need ongoing treatment. Work with your doctor to develop a long-term care plan.7

 

Read more about type 2 inflammation

While moisturizers help protect the skin barrier and soothe irritation, they don't address the underlying inflammation.5,7 Your child might need prescription treatments, especially for moderate-to-severe AD. Thanks to new research, we now have advanced treatments that can make a real difference in managing AD long-term.7

 

Read more about atopic dermatitis treatment

Understanding atopic dermatitis can help you reduce your child's flare-ups and improve their quality of life.2,5 Work closely with your child's doctor to develop an effective treatment plan.7 Remember, you're not alone in managing your child's AD - healthcare professionals are here to support you.

Resources to help

Take the AD Control Test to check if your child's symptoms are well managed

Find out more

Download our free Caregiver Guide for more information about managing AD

Download

References

  1. Zuberbier T, Orlow SJ, Paller AS, et al. Patient perspectives on the management of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006;118(1):226-232. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2006.02.031. 
  2. Neri I, Galli E, Baiardini I, et al. Implications of Atopic Dermatitis on the Quality of Life of 6-11 Years Old Children and Caregivers (PEDI-BURDEN). J Asthma Allergy. 2023;16:383-396. Published 2023 Apr 12. doi:10.2147/JAA.S404350.
  3. National Eczema Association. 6 skin conditions commonly misdiagnosed as eczema. National Eczema Association. Published 2022. https://nationaleczema.org/blog/6-skin-conditions-commonly-misdiagnosed-as-eczema/. Accessed October 2024.
  4. NHS. Atopic eczema – Overview. https://www. nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/. Accessed October 2024. 
  5. Wollenberg A, Barbarot S, Bieber T, et al. Consensus-based European guidelines for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) in adults and children: part I [published correction appears in J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019 Jul;33(7):1436. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15719]. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(5):657-682. doi:10.1111/jdv.14891.
  6. Silverberg JI. Comorbidities and the impact of atopic dermatitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2019;123(2):144-151. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2019.04.020 
  7. Fishbein AB, Silverberg JI, Wilson EJ, Ong PY. Update on Atopic Dermatitis: Diagnosis, Severity Assessment, and Treatment Selection. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020;8(1):91-101. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2019.06.044.
  8. Paller, A. S., Spergel, J. M., Mina-Osorio, P., & Irvine, A. D. The atopic march and atopic multimorbidity: Many trajectories, many pathways. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology. 2019;143(1):46-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2018.11.006. 
  9. Paternoster L, Savenije OEM, Heron J, et al. Identification of atopic dermatitis subgroups in children from 2 longitudinal birth cohorts. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(3):964-971. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.09.044.
  10. Wan J, Mitra N, Hoffstad OJ, Yan AC, Margolis DJ. Longitudinal atopic dermatitis control and persistence vary with timing of disease onset in children: A cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(6):1292-1299. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.05.016.
  11. Mastrorilli C, Cardinale F, Giannetti A, Caffarelli C. Pollen-food allergy syndrome: A not so rare disease in childhood. Medicina. 2019;55(10):641. doi:10.3390/medicina55100641