Experts call for lifelong management of childhood atopic dermatitis

Experts have called for stronger early intervention and lifelong management of atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents, warning that the disease's high prevalence and early onset can affect not only the skin but also patients' sleep, learning, mental health, and family life.

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis among children aged 1 to 7 has reached nearly 13 percent, with about 60 percent of patients developing the condition before the age of 1, according to a report from Beijing News. Nearly half of patients may continue to experience the disease into adulthood, highlighting the need for long-term management rather than short-term treatment.

"Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by type 2 inflammation and is one of the major skin diseases affecting children," said Cui Yong, vice-president of China-Japan Friendship Hospital.

Cui noted that the disease can occur alongside allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma, meaning patients need to be monitored for related health problems rather than treated solely for skin symptoms.

Repeated and severe itching can disturb sleep and interfere with learning, while persistent symptoms may contribute to anxiety and depression, potentially affecting their development. The burden on families can also be substantial: parents of children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis spend upwards of 14 to 21 hours a week on disease-related care.

Cui said parents often have two misconceptions: that atopic dermatitis can be completely cured, or that treatment can be abandoned altogether because the disease is chronic. Neither approach is appropriate, he said.

As a chronic condition, atopic dermatitis should be managed through sustained medical treatment aimed at controlling inflammation and improving quality of life. Newer biologic therapies that target specific proteins involved in the inflammation have provided additional options for patients, while moisturizing and reducing exposure to triggers such as dry air, dust mites, and harsh detergents remain important parts of care.

Cui emphasized that effective management requires cooperation between doctors and parents. "Three parts treatment, seven parts care," he said — an adage meaning that day-to-day care matters more than medicine — calling for stable, appropriate, and long-term management rather than treatment only when symptoms flare.

Luo Xuejuan, an Olympic swimming champion and lecturer at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said parents should remain patient and help their children develop a positive understanding of their condition. Children should be encouraged to accept their own health condition, stay physically active within their limits, and lead as normal a life as possible.