Routine infant skincare advice in the UK: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

First paragraph: Eczema has the highest burden of all skin disease, affecting 15% of infants and 6% of older children worldwide.1 Gene–environment interactions are implicated in eczema development. Impaired skin barrier function is observed in infants preceding the development of clinical eczema, suggesting that preventing skin barrier function impairment may support primary prevention of eczema.2 In infancy, the skin undergoes a maturation process including changes in the lipid lamellae structure and stratum corneum. The stratum corneum becomes less permeable, reflected in reduced transepidermal water loss rates as maturation occurs. The impact of infant skincare routines on short- or long-term skin barrier function and skin health is unknown.