Jessica Hui-Beckman, MD
Credit: National Jewish Health
A study revealed infants who develop atopic dermatitis have skin barrier dysfunction in cheeks with delayed FLG processing, decreased protein-bound ceramides, and increased IL-18.1 The research will be presented at the 2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting in San Diego from February 28 – March 3.
Previous studies have shown changes in the forearm skin barrier before atopic dermatitis onset in infants 2 months old. A study published last April demonstrated changes in skin barrier proteins in infants, such as lipid metabolism, immune profiles, and the microbiome, explained why some infants progress to clinical atopic dermatitis.2
However, changes in the cheek skin barrier before the development of atopic dermatitis had yet to be…