For years, researchers have looked for the cause of the relentless itch that plagues millions of children with eczema around the world. For the most part, managing itch has revolved around symptom relief. Desperate parents experiment with many imperfect techniques to deal with their child’s vicious urge to scratch. However, the root cause of the urge to itch has been elusive. Now a new study from Harvard researchers published in the journal Cell suggests that Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria present on the skin of almost every child with eczema, may in fact be driving their itch. The animal s ..read more

What started as cradle cap soon became an intense, oozing, scaly rash for Christina Martin’s baby. First treated with steroid cream, the rash subsided but came right back when the cream was stopped — this time worse than before. Suddenly, the six-month-old was covered from head to toe with deep, oozing, yellow scales, and he was in terrible discomfort. He couldn’t sleep, and nor could the rest of the family. As the baby grew into a toddler, the eczema morphed and moved into specific problem areas, like his hands, the tops of his feet, sometimes the folds of his knees and elbows. His skin had b ..read more

A common theme in GPER’s free caregiver support program’s virtual groups is parents wanting to know the cause of their child’s eczema. They desire to find the trigger or food to avoid, and in the meantime, generally hope they can find an over-the-counter cream to heal eczema. But if that trigger never makes itself known, what then? I had a similar experience. Surrounded by moms who swore it was dairy or vaccines or even breast milk, the mixed messages had my head spinning. Which essential oil mix would I try next? Coconut oil must surely be the best thing for my infant’s delicate skin, right ..read more

There is so much information on the internet, parents of a child with eczema may wonder how to sift fact from fiction. Other people in your child’s life may also be influenced by myths about eczema. Classmates may be afraid eczema is infectious. Your well-meaning friends and family may offer unsolicited advice based on their own misconceptions. We’re addressing the five most common myths here so you have the facts in hand. Myth 1: Eczema is contagious. One of the most persistent myths about eczema is that it is contagious. The truth is, eczema is not caused by bacteria, viruses, or any other c ..read more

When parents research the cause of their child’s persistent itchy and inflamed skin, they discover two common possibilities are eczema and psoriasis. Although they may share some similar symptoms, they are distinct conditions with unique characteristics and treatment approaches. This blog explores the key differences between eczema and psoriasis in children. Eczema in Children Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that often appears in infancy or early childhood. It is characterized by inflamed, itchy, and red patches on the skin. Here are some key features of ec ..read more

At GPER, one of our mandates is to inform caregivers about the latest research on atopic dermatitis (AD). Sometimes there’s a gap between the research done by academia and questions families living with eczema want answered - that’s when we step in and design and conduct research from patients’ perspective. Below are five recent GPER-led studies doing just that. Do specialists make a difference and how does anxiety and depression impact control of symptoms?In a newly published letter in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology International, GPER and collaborators examined the role o ..read more

Natural remedies for eczema: What does the science say? Many caregivers of children with eczema are concerned about managing their child’s inflamed skin with medicines and prescription creams. Can natural remedies safely reduce eczema symptoms? In the last decade, some natural approaches have gained attention in both medical research and holistic healthcare circles. In this article, we explore some of these natural remedies for eczema, supported by academic research. At GPER we look at the science - here’s what academic research says about natural remedies: Probiotics: Probiotics are beneficia ..read more

At GPER, one of our mandates is to inform caregivers about the latest research on atopic dermatitis (AD). Sometimes there’s a gap between the research done by academia and questions families living with eczema want answered - that’s when we step in and design and conduct research from patients’ perspective. Below are five recent GPER-led studies doing just that. Do specialists make a difference and how does anxiety and depression impact control of symptoms?In a newly published letter in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology International, GPER and collaborators examined the role o ..read more

Introduction Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that can affect people of all ages, especially children. It appears as red, itchy, and inflamed skin, and its appearance can vary from person to person. In this blog, we'll explore the common areas where eczema appears on a child's body, so parents and caregivers can spot it and provide relief for their little ones. Face One of the most frequent areas for eczema to appear in children is on the face. It often starts on the cheeks and may also pop up on the forehead, chin, and around the mouth. Eczema on the face ca ..read more

Introduction Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that can affect people of all ages, especially children. It appears as red, itchy, and inflamed skin, and its appearance can vary from person to person. In this blog, we'll explore the common areas where eczema appears on a child's body, so parents and caregivers can spot it and provide relief for their little ones. Face One of the most frequent areas for eczema to appear in children is on the face. It often starts on the cheeks and may also pop up on the forehead, chin, and around the mouth. Eczema on the face ca ..read more