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Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease. People with eczema have dry, itchy skin that can weep clear fluid when scratched. The disease also can make people more susceptible to bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections. Eczema is the strongest risk factor for the development of food allergy. Severe forms of eczema can substantially affect quality of life. The causes of the condition remain unclear.

Last Reviewed: August 27, 2024

The scientific community can learn about NIAID funding opportunities, programs, and networks to further research and encourage collaboration as well as resources provided by NIAID to advance product development. Recent publications and ways to connect with other researchers are also available.

Last Reviewed: September 17, 2024

NIAID gives an overview of complications that can arise from eczema (atopic dermatitis) such as skin infections caused by bacteria and viruses, as well as fungal infections and related research advances.

Last Reviewed: August 28, 2015

The objective of this study is to test a skin treatment that contains Roseomonas mucosa and ground cardamom seeds in people with atopic dermatitis (AD).

The NIAID Atopic Dermatitis Research Network conducts clinical research research to learn more about skin infections associated with atopic dermatitis.

Last Reviewed: November 18, 2024

Researchers want to study if people with atopic dermatitis (AD) and high total IgE levels are truly allergic to milk and/or peanuts with the aim of improving the ways doctors test for food allergy in people with AD. Participants aged 3-21 years with elevated total serum IgE levels and a history of AD will receive a comprehensive allergy evaluation including food allergy testing, a plan and medications to treat their AD, and a nutritional assessment and counseling sessions with a dietitian.

Recruiting Start Date: July 1, 2022

The primary safety objective of this study is to compare the safety profile of ShA9 to placebo (vehicle) over 14 weeks of application, which includes an initial two-week period of co-treatment with topical corticosteroids (TCS).

This is a multi-center, longitudinal study which will characterize the gene expression profiles and transcriptomic endotypes that underlie mild and moderate-severe Atopic dermatitis (AD) and will determine changes in these expression patterns and endotypes in response to standard-of-care treatment.

NIAID scientists have found an association between widely used chemicals called diisocyanates and atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease commonly known as eczema.

Published: January 24, 2023

The objective of this study is to compare the effect of proactive sequential skin care, including the twice-daily use of a tri-lipid skin barrier cream (Epiceram) and proactive use of fluticasone propionate cream, against reactive AD therapy, to reduce the occurrence and severity of AD in early infancy and thereby prevent food allergy (FA).

New NIH-supported research shows how two common variations in the KIF3A gene cause an impaired skin barrier that allows increased water loss from the skin.

Published: August 14, 2020

Information about at home eczema (atopic dermatitis) treatment options and advances in treatment research from NIAID.

Last Reviewed: February 28, 2025

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a part of NIH, stands with the scientific community in recognizing October as Eczema Awareness Month and acknowledging the need for continued research into possible cures and therapeutics.

Published: October 17, 2022

An experimental treatment for eczema safely reduced disease severity and increased quality of life for children as young as 3 years old, NIH study shows.

Published: September 9, 2020

A study to identify prenatal and early childhood markers of high risk for food allergy and atopic dermatitis, or eczema, as well as biological pathways that lead to these conditions, has begun. The observational study of children from birth to age 3 years will examine the origins of allergic disease by integrating interdisciplinary analyses of data from more than 260 biological and environmental

Published: March 19, 2021

Currently there is no clearly effective way to prevent eczema. Many studies have tested a variety of eczema prevention strategies in pregnant and breastfeeding women and in infants. These include emollients or moisturizers, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, vitamin D supplementation, hydrolyzed baby formula, early introduction of egg or cow’s milk, dietary supplements during breastfeeding, dust mite avoidance, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination, antimicrobials, anti-worm medications, and antibiotic avoidance. Of all these experimental interventions, only a few have led to a small or modest reduction in the risk for childhood eczema.

Last Reviewed: December 4, 2024

NIAID research has led to the availability of a new over-the-counter topical eczema probiotic. The probiotic is based on the discovery by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, that bacteria present on healthy skin called Roseomonas mucosa can safely relieve eczema symptoms in adults and children.

Published: June 26, 2024

Information about the causes of eczema (atopic dermatitis).

Last Reviewed: November 20, 2024

This 10- to 20-minute survey is available for patients with eczema or parents of patients with eczema. These questions will help us learn more about patient experiences to improve current research and guide future research. What does the study involve? This online survey involves 10 to 20 minutes’ worth of questions. Who Can Participate? Adults with eczema or parents/caregivers of a child with

Wet wrap therapy is a very effective approach to treating severe eczema that NIAID researchers studied during a clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center from 2012 to 2017. The researchers found that this form of treatment reduced symptoms quickly and durably, decreasing the need for medication and improving sleep. This page describes the study, shows how wet wrap therapy is performed, and highlights its benefits.

Last Reviewed: March 31, 2025

A brief overview of the NIAID Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT).

Last Reviewed: November 14, 2014

Information about NIAID-supported research of smallpox vaccine supply and strength.

Last Reviewed: September 26, 2019

Ian A. Myles, M.D., M.P.H., is the Staff Clinician for the Epithelial Therapeutics Unit. The unit focuses on how human health is affected by the normal microorganisms that live on our skin (collectively termed the microbiome). Our emphasis is on eczema (also called atopic dermatitis or AD), which is an inflammatory disease of the skin associated with reduced quality of life and high risk of developing asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies.

Last Reviewed: November 29, 2023

Research findings showed that S. epidermidis produces enzymes, known as sphingomyelinase, that help the bacteria acquire nutrients and colonize the skin. But the bacterial enzymes also help the skin produce ceramides, which are important components of the outer skin layers that prevent drying and aging of the skin. Low ceramide levels contribute to many skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, commonly called eczema.

Published: February 4, 2022

Topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) results in dermatitis that is distinct from eczema and is caused by an excess of NAD+, an essential chemical compound in the body, according to a new study from NIAID researchers.

Published: March 14, 2025