A research group led by visiting professor Shimojo Naoki of the Allergy Center at Chiba University Hospital conducted a survey of newborns born at the hospital and revealed that the onset of atopic dermatitis in infants born during dry, cold seasons may be prevented by using mild cleansing methods and moisturizing care.
In the survey, mothers of children born between January and September 2019 were instructed on conventional skin care methods* (control group; 1 people), and mothers of children born between January and September 9 were instructed on new skin care methods* (intervention group; 132 people), and a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence of AD at 2020 months of age.
The survey results showed that there was no significant difference in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis at 12 months of age when all participants were evaluated, but when analyzed by birth season, the prevalence at 1 months of age was significantly lower in the intervention group (3%) than in the control group (12%) for children born between January and March. The results of this study suggest that skin care with mild cleansing and moisturizing may be able to prevent atopic dermatitis in children born during the dry and cold season.
Visiting Professor Shimojo says, "It is said that about 2% of Japanese babies suffer from atopic dermatitis (AD), and babies born in autumn and winter are particularly prone to AD. This study has revealed an effective method of preventing AD for babies born during the cold season. Protect your precious baby's skin with a combination of gentle cleansing, thorough rinsing, and moisturizing care."
* Conventional skin care methods
・Wash your baby's body with soap and gauze using your hands (in the bath)
Wash your baby's face with warm water and gauze.
・Rinse off with lukewarm water from a washbasin
・No guidance on moisturizing care
*New skin care method
・Wash your baby's body with foam soap by hand (in the bath)
- Wash your baby's face with your hands using foam soap
- Rinse off the foam completely in the shower
- Apply moisturizer to the entire body once a day according to FTU protocol
FTU (Fingertip Unit): The amount of product squeezed out from a tube with a nozzle diameter of 5 mm from the tip of the finger to the first joint is equivalent to the amount applied to the palms of both hands.
Reference: [Chiba University Hospital] Proven method to prevent atopic dermatitis in infants
