Red cheeks. Dry patches. A child who scratches. Restless nights. Eczema that almost disappears only to suddenly return.

Atopic dermatitis in children can be incredibly frustrating – for both the child and the parents.

And one of the first things I want to state clearly is this:

Childhood eczema is not necessarily caused by something you have done wrong.

Childhood eczema is usually atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. It is an inflammatory skin disease in which the skin barrier, the immune system, genetic factors, and environmental influences all play a role.

The skin is not just a little dry. It has more difficulty retaining water, becomes irritated more easily, and can develop inflammation and intense itching.

Fortunately, much can be done. The most important things are a simple and consistent skincare routine, gentle bathing habits, and correct medical treatment when the eczema is active.

And remember: A child should not have to go around with itching and sleepless nights because one is trying to manage an inflammatory eczema flare-up with skincare alone.

In this article, you will get answers to

1. What childhood eczema is and how to recognize it.

2. Why babies get eczema on their cheeks, and where eczema appears in older children.

3. What you can do about dry skin, itching, and restless nights.

4. How baths, soap, clothing, heat, and detergents affect the skin.

5. Which skincare I recommend, and why.

6. When steroid cream and other medical treatment are necessary.

7. How to recognize infection and other warning signs.

8. How to care for the skin between flare-ups.

What is childhood eczema?

When we talk about childhood eczema, we most often mean atopic eczema in infants and children. The medical term is atopic dermatitis.

It is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that typically alternates between periods of active eczema and periods when the skin is calmer.

The three most characteristic problems are:

Dry skin + inflammation + itching.

Childhood eczema can begin as early as infancy. In some children, symptoms decrease significantly with age, while others continue to have eczema as older children, teenagers, or adults.

This does not mean that the child will necessarily have severe eczema for the rest of their life.

But it does mean that the disease must be taken seriously and not just treated as ordinary dry skin.

What does childhood eczema look like?

Childhood eczema can appear as dry, rough, and scaly areas. The skin may be inflamed, cracked, or covered with scratch marks.

During active flare-ups, small bumps, swelling, and weeping areas may also appear. With prolonged scratching, the skin may become thicker.

On light skin, the inflammation is often seen as redness. On darker skin, the areas may appear purple, grayish, brownish, or darker than the surrounding skin.

Itching is often the symptom that burdens the child the most.

A child can have relatively limited visible skin changes and still be very troubled.

Baby eczema – why do babies get eczema on their cheeks?

In infants, cheeks and the face are classic areas for atopic eczema.

The eczema can also be present on the scalp, on the body, and on the outer sides of the arms and legs.

As the child gets older, the distribution often changes.

In older children, we more frequently see eczema in the bends of the elbows and knees, at the wrists, and at the ankles.

However, not all red cheeks are childhood eczema.

Drool, food, cold, and friction can also cause irritant rashes around the mouth and cheeks. Infants can also have seborrheic dermatitis, which, among other things, can cause yellowish, greasy scales on the scalp.

If you are in doubt about the diagnosis, especially in a very young child, a doctor should assess the skin.

Red bottom in babies – is that also childhood eczema?

A red, irritated baby bottom is something most parents of small children encounter.

But did you know that a red bottom is usually not the same as atopic eczema?

A red bottom is also called diaper rash or diaper dermatitis and typically occurs when the skin is exposed to moisture, urine, stool, and friction from the diaper for an extended period.

The delicate skin barrier becomes stressed, and the result can be redness, soreness, and, in worse cases, small sores.

Here, it is primarily about protecting the skin from what is irritating it.

Change the diaper frequently, clean gently with lukewarm water, and let the skin dry before putting on a new diaper. A protective barrier cream, often with zinc oxide, can help shield the skin from moisture and irritation.

A rich, fragrance-free ointment like Repair Perfume Free can also be relevant as protective skincare when the skin tolerates it.

But be aware: If the rash is primarily in the skin folds, is intensely red, or is accompanied by small red spots around the main rash, it may be a fungal infection. In that case, ordinary barrier care is not necessarily sufficient.

In the case of sores, blisters, fever, significant discomfort, or a rash that does not improve after a few days, the child should be assessed by a doctor.

I have created a separate guide for red bottoms in babies, where I review the causes, the difference between regular diaper rash and fungal infection, and how you best protect the delicate skin.

[Insert internal link: Red bottom in babies – causes, treatment, and prevention]

What can you do when your child has childhood eczema?

I would start with the simple things.

A child with dry and eczema-prone skin primarily needs regular, fragrance-free moisturizing care and a daily life where the skin is not exposed to unnecessary irritation.

If there is also an active inflammatory eczema flare-up, the child must receive the relevant medical treatment.

It is not a choice between skincare or medication.

It is often both.

1. Protect the skin every day

Use a fragrance-free moisturizing cream or ointment that the child tolerates, at least daily, and preferably more often for very dry skin. Denmark's most sold product is Raz Skincare Repair Perfume Free.

A rich ointment can be useful on very dry areas, while a cream is often easier to distribute over larger skin areas.

The most important thing is that the product is suitable for the child's skin and that it is used consistently.

2. Make bathing gentle

The child can certainly take baths.

Use lukewarm water, keep the bath relatively short, and avoid scrubbing the skin.

There is rarely a need to use soap over the entire body at every bath.

After the bath, pat the skin gently dry, and apply moisturizer before the skin has a chance to become very dry. If you find Repair is too rich, use Repair Barrier Cream.

3. Keep an eye on itching and sleep

If the child scratches a lot, especially at night, one should not just continue to try more cosmetic products.

Persistent itching can be a sign that the inflammation is not being sufficiently treated.

Talk to the doctor about a treatment plan if the child wakes up repeatedly or scratches the skin until it breaks.

4. Avoid making daily life unnecessarily complicated

You do not need to replace all of the child's clothes, remove long lists of foods, or implement an extensive skincare routine.

Start with the obvious stressors and see how your specific child reacts.

Why do babies and children get eczema?

There is no single cause of childhood eczema.

And that is precisely why the disease can be so frustrating.

Several biological mechanisms work together.

The child's skin barrier is less effective at retaining water

The skin's outermost layer, the stratum corneum, acts as the body's protective boundary against the environment.

You can compare it to a wall.

The skin cells are the bricks. Between them lies an organized mixture of fats, including ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids, which act as the mortar.

In atopic eczema, this barrier functions poorly.

This means, among other things, that water evaporates more easily through the skin.

This is called TEWL – Transepidermal Water Loss.

When water loss is increased, the skin becomes dry, rough, and irritated more easily.

At the same time, the skin becomes more vulnerable to external influences.

This is an important explanation for why moisture and barrier care play such a central role in childhood eczema.

Filaggrin and genetic predisposition

One of the most important proteins in the skin barrier is called filaggrin.

Filaggrin helps build the skin's outermost layer, and its breakdown products contribute to the skin's natural moisture-binding system.

Some children have genetic variants in the FLG gene, which means that the skin produces less functional filaggrin.

This can increase the risk of atopic eczema.

But that does not mean that all children with childhood eczema have a filaggrin mutation.

The disease is multifactorial. Genetics is one part of the explanation, the immune system another, and the environment and skin barrier are additional parts.

The immune system and inflammation

Childhood eczema is not just dry skin.

In atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory reaction occurs in the skin.

Specifically, so-called type 2 inflammation plays a central role. Here, signaling molecules such as IL-4 and IL-13 are involved.

These signaling molecules can affect the skin barrier, while a weakened barrier can simultaneously contribute to inflammation.

Thus, a self-reinforcing process occurs.

This is also the explanation for why a rich ointment can be good barrier care without necessarily being sufficient treatment for a severe eczema flare-up.

Itching creates more eczema

For a small child, it can be almost impossible not to scratch.

The child itches.

The child scratches.

The skin barrier is damaged.

The inflammation may worsen.

And the skin itches even more.

This is called the itch-scratch cycle.

Itching and sleep disturbances are well-documented problems for children with atopic dermatitis. Children may experience more frequent awakenings, restless sleep, and nighttime scratching.

Therefore, I take itching in children very seriously.

It is not just about the skin being a little irritated.

If the child is not sleeping, the disease affects the entire family.

The skin's microbiome changes

Bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms live naturally on the skin. Together, they make up the skin's microbiome.

In children with atopic dermatitis, an increased presence of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is often seen, especially in areas with active eczema.

This does not mean that childhood eczema is simply caused by bacteria.

The skin barrier, inflammation, and microbiome affect each other, and children with atopic eczema can be more susceptible to certain skin infections.

If you want to understand filaggrin, ceramides, the immune system, and the microbiome in even greater detail, I go through the biology in our article on atopic eczema.

Here, I would rather use the space for the practical conditions that are particularly important for children.

Bath, soap, clothing, and heat – what matters most?

It is often the small things in everyday life that make a difference in how comfortable the child's skin feels.

But be careful not to turn the whole family's life into a big elimination experiment.

Was it the tomato? The detergent? The wool sweater? The bath water? The milk? The new cream?

Some children have clear individual triggers. Others have flare-ups without an obvious external cause.

Should children with eczema take baths?

Yes.

There is no need to be afraid of water. It is especially very hot water, harsh washing, and drying out that we want to avoid. Consider, for example, doing all washing with Powder to Mousse, which is soap-free and so mild that newborns can use it.

International guidelines vary slightly regarding the exact frequency of bathing, but they agree that gentle washing and regular moisture care are central parts of the treatment.

I would therefore keep it simple:

Use lukewarm water, avoid prolonged very hot baths, and only wash with a mild, fragrance-free product when needed.

Pat the skin dry instead of rubbing with a towel. Then apply a suitable moisturizing cream or ointment.

What about soap?

A child with very dry atopic skin does not necessarily need soap over the entire body every day.

The skin's job is not to be degreased and squeaky clean.

When cleaning is needed, one should choose a gentle, fragrance-free product that is suitable for the child's age and skin condition. Consider Powder to Mousse.

I would not use exfoliating products, heavily fragranced bath products, or cleansing products with many active ingredients on inflamed child skin.

Which clothes are best for children with eczema?

The clothes should first and foremost be comfortable.

Soft fabrics that do not itch are often a good starting point. Cotton works well for many children, but the most important thing is how the individual child reacts.

Rough wool directly against the skin, coarse seams, and tight clothing can cause friction and increase discomfort.

If the child consistently starts scratching when they put on a certain sweater, it is of course relevant to replace it.

Heat can be an overlooked enemy

Many parents are worried about whether their child is cold.

But a child with atopic eczema can be very bothered by being too warm.

Heat and sweat can worsen the itching.

If your child scratches especially at night, I would look at sleepwear, the duvet, and the temperature in the bedroom.

Perhaps the child is simply too warm.

Sometimes the solution is not yet another skin product, but less heat.

What about detergent?

I would choose a fragrance-free detergent, dose it correctly, and ensure that the clothes are rinsed properly.

Fabric softener with fragrance is rarely necessary.

But detergent is not automatically the cause of childhood eczema.

If the skin consistently reacts to a specific product, it makes sense to avoid it. Otherwise, one should be careful not to make every new spot the result of something the family has done wrong.

Raz Signature Treatment for Childhood Eczema

If I were only allowed to choose one product for a child with very dry and eczema-prone skin, I would not be in doubt: Repair Perfume Free.

For more than 20 years, I have worked with problem skin, and Repair is one of the products that families have returned to again and again. It has been recommended from mother to mother, from generation to generation, and is, in our experience, also used in professional care settings.

But why am I so enthusiastic about Repair in particular?

Because it addresses one of the central problems with childhood eczema: The child's skin has difficulty retaining its own moisture.

In atopic eczema, the skin barrier is often weakened. This means that moisture evaporates more easily, the skin becomes dry and rough, and ordinary influences can cause itching and irritation.

Therefore, good skincare is not just about adding moisture. It is very much about helping the skin keep it.

And that is exactly where Repair comes into the picture.

1. Repair Perfume Free – my absolute first choice

Repair is an unusually rich, water-free ointment that settles as a soft, protective layer on the skin.

It helps limit moisture loss, protects against friction, and keeps dry skin more supple and comfortable.

But one of the most interesting things about Repair is actually cholesterol.

Yes, you read that right. Cholesterol.

We normally associate cholesterol with blood tests and cardiovascular diseases. But cholesterol is also a completely natural and necessary component of the skin – including your child's skin.

Between the skin's outermost cells lies an organized mixture of fats, especially ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. Together, they form a kind of biological mortar that helps keep the skin barrier tight and flexible.

When this structure does not function optimally, the skin loses moisture more easily.

Repair contains lanolin, which naturally contains cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and other skin-relevant lipids. Together with the ointment's other fats, it creates a supple, moisture-retaining, and protective surface.

This does not mean that Repair replaces all the skin's own barrier fats. But it helps with something very important: protecting the skin while it tries to maintain its natural balance.

And that is why I love Repair for dry, delicate, and eczema-prone skin.

It does not try to turn the skin into something else. It helps protect what the skin already has.

Repair Perfume Free is without added fragrance, without water, and without preservatives. This makes it particularly interesting when we want simple and rich skincare for very dry skin.

I especially recommend it for dry cheeks, arms, legs, hands, and other exposed areas where the skin needs extra protection.

Feel free to use it as part of daily care – even in periods when the skin looks better.

For children with childhood eczema, it is often consistent skincare between flare-ups that makes daily life easier.

My advice: Start with Repair.

Be aware that the product contains lanolin. In case of known lanolin allergy, the product should be avoided.

See Repair Perfume Free

2. Repair Barrier Cream – when Repair feels too rich (Coming soon)

There are children for whom a very rich ointment is not always the most practical choice.

Perhaps the child thinks it is sticky. Perhaps the skin needs to be moisturized over large areas, or perhaps the family wants a lighter cream for the daytime.

Here comes my second choice: Repair Barrier Cream.

And it is actually much more interesting than a regular moisturizer.

While Repair is particularly strong at protecting the skin and locking in moisture, Repair Barrier Cream has been developed based on the structure of the skin barrier itself.

Do you remember me talking about the skin's biological mortar?

It consists of, among other things, ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids.

Repair Barrier Cream contains precisely this combination.

Ceramides are essential building blocks in the skin's outer layer. Cholesterol helps to organize the lipid structure, and fatty acids contribute to the flexibility and cohesion that a well-functioning skin barrier requires.

This is interesting regarding childhood eczema, because atopic skin often has disturbances in this very lipid structure.

At the same time, the cream provides moisture-binding substances that help the skin stay soft and supple, as well as ectoin and panthenol, which support skin comfort and moisture balance.

Everything is gathered in a lighter formulation that is easier to spread over larger skin areas.

Which one would I choose?

I would still start with Repair Perfume Free.

But if it feels too greasy, or if the child does not like the texture, I would choose Repair Barrier Cream.

You can also use Barrier Cream on larger skin areas and Repair as extra protection on the driest spots.

It is not necessary to use both products. The most important thing is that the skin receives care that the child accepts, and which the family actually manages to use every day.

3. Ai Anti-Irritation – a supplement when the skin requires special attention

Ai Anti-Irritation has a special place in Raz Skincare's history.

Over the years, we have received much feedback from people with itchy, scaly, and irritated skin who experience good comfort by using Ai together with Repair.

We also have experience with the use of the products in professional care settings, including hospital-related contexts.

Ai is developed with minerals from Læsø salt brine and purple willow extract. While Repair primarily provides fat and protection, Ai is intended as a light supplement for skin that feels irritated and scaly.

However, there is an important difference between an adult with dry, scaly skin and a small child with active atopic eczema.

Ai contains, among other things, salts and lactic acid, which can sting on cracked or inflamed skin.

We have previously used Ai diluted with equal parts water to reduce the sensation of stinging. That is part of our practical experience, but the dilution is not clinically validated for the treatment of childhood eczema, and it does not document safety in infants.

Therefore, Ai is not my first choice for children, and I do not recommend that parents themselves mix and apply Ai to infants' eczema-prone skin.

For older children, the product could potentially be considered as a supplement on intact skin following an individual professional assessment. It must not replace relevant treatment for active eczema.

See Ai Anti-Irritation

Do you need to use all three products?

No. On the contrary.

My recommendation is simple: Always start with Repair Perfume Free if the child tolerates it.

If it is too greasy for daily use, you can choose Repair Barrier Cream instead.

If the skin continues to be very red, itchy, or inflamed, the solution is not necessarily to add more cosmetic products. In that case, the child should be evaluated with a view to relevant eczema treatment.

For childhood eczema, a doctor may, for example, recommend an appropriate steroid cream for a limited period. That treatment may be necessary to dampen the inflammation while daily moisture and barrier care continues.

One does not exclude the other.

Good skincare protects the skin barrier. Medical treatment dampens the inflammation that skincare alone cannot always control.

And for me, it is precisely the combination of the right care and the right treatment that makes the most sense.

Start simple. Start with Repair. And then adapt the care to the child's skin.

Should all children use multiple products?

No.

My starting point is a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer that the child tolerates.

Repair Perfume Free can be a relevant choice, but it is not the only possible choice.

And if the child has active eczema, the doctor's treatment plan is more important than trying to combine several cosmetic products.

My recommended morning and evening routine

Morning routine for childhood eczema

1. Avoid unnecessary washing of the entire body. Clean only the areas that need it.

2. Apply Repair Perfume Free or another suitable fragrance-free moisturizing product to the dry skin, if the child tolerates it.

3. Follow any doctor-prescribed eczema treatment according to the specific instructions.

Evening routine for childhood eczema

1. Give the child a short, lukewarm bath if needed.

2. Pat the skin dry gently.

3. Use any prescribed medical treatment according to the doctor's instructions.

4. Apply moisturizer to the skin. The order in relation to medications depends on the specific treatment plan.

For very dry skin, there may be a need to apply cream several times daily.

The younger the child is, the simpler I would generally keep the routine.

Steroid cream for children – should one be afraid?

I find this important.

Many parents get nervous when the doctor mentions corticosteroid cream, also called steroid cream.

I understand that. You can find many scary stories on the internet.

However, topical corticosteroids are a well-documented treatment for active atopic eczema in children.

The American Academy of Dermatology's new 2026 guideline provides a strong recommendation for both moisturizing products and topical corticosteroid treatment.

The crucial question, therefore, is not whether all steroid cream is dangerous.

It is whether the child is receiving the right preparation, in the right strength, on the right skin area, and for the right period.

The doctor must help with that.

Correct use often provides good disease control. Side effects can occur, including skin thinning if used inappropriately, and therefore the treatment must be adapted to the child's age and skin area.

But undertreated eczema also has consequences.

A child who scratches until they bleed and cannot sleep has not necessarily received better treatment just because steroid cream was avoided.

Is there treatment without steroids?

Yes.

There are, for example, prescription, steroid-free anti-inflammatory preparations such as pimecrolimus and tacrolimus, which the doctor can use in relevant situations.

For moderate to severe atopic eczema, there are also more advanced treatment options, including biologic drugs and other targeted treatments.

Which treatments are approved and suitable depends on the child's age, the severity of the disease, and current Danish approvals.

That is a judgment for the doctor or dermatologist.

What if the eczema keeps coming back?

Then there may be a need for an actual maintenance plan.

For some children, this means consistent moisturizing combined with preventive, doctor-prescribed anti-inflammatory treatment in areas where the eczema often returns.

It should not be a question of applying medicine without a plan, but of keeping the disease under control with the least burdensome, effective treatment.

Itching at night – what can be done?

Nighttime itching is one of the most burdensome problems with childhood eczema.

Research shows that children with atopic dermatitis can, among other things, have more awakenings, more fragmented sleep, and more nocturnal scratching.

Therefore, I would look at the whole situation.

Is the eczema sufficiently treated? Is the skin dry? Does the child get too warm? Is the child scratching the skin raw? Is the sleepwear uncomfortable?

I would also keep the child's nails short and ensure that the skin receives its usual moisturizing treatment before bedtime.

If the skin is highly inflamed, however, it is not enough to simply change the duvet and sleepwear.

Then the anti-inflammatory treatment must be evaluated.

If a child regularly wakes up because of itching, I do not see it as just a little eczema.

It is a sign that the disease is affecting the child significantly.

When might childhood eczema have become infected?

The damaged skin barrier in atopic dermatitis makes children more vulnerable to skin infections.

Contact the doctor if the eczema suddenly changes character, becomes more painful, weeps significantly, gets yellow crusts, or spreads rapidly.

Fever or a child who seems generally unwell should also be taken seriously.

A particularly important complication is eczema herpeticum. It is a herpes virus infection that can cause rapidly developing, painful, and relatively uniform blisters or small sores in eczema-prone skin.

If eczema herpeticum is suspected, the child must be evaluated urgently, especially if there is also a fever, a generally affected condition, or changes around the eyes.

Skincare is not the solution here.

Here, prompt medical evaluation is necessary.

What about food and childhood eczema?

Children with atopic eczema more often have other atopic diseases, including food allergies.

However, that does not mean that childhood eczema is generally caused by milk, eggs, gluten, or other specific foods.

I would therefore not start removing large food groups from a child's diet solely because of eczema.

A growing child needs adequate nutrition.

If there are clear and repeated reactions to specific foods, it should be investigated by a doctor.

And remember: A food allergy can coexist with atopic eczema without being the cause of all the skin symptoms.

When do you see results – and what do you do when the skin becomes good?

With regular moisturizing, very dry skin can begin to feel softer and more comfortable relatively quickly. Sometimes within a few hours.

But improved skin comfort is not the same as the inflammation being gone.

If the child has an active eczema outbreak, improvement depends, among other things, on the severity of the disease and the medical treatment.

I will therefore not promise that childhood eczema disappears after a certain number of days with Repair.

The goal is less dryness, fewer outbreaks, better sleep, and skin that is more comfortable for the child.

When the skin looks nice again

Then I would not stop all skincare.

Atopic skin can still have a weakened barrier between visible outbreaks.

Therefore, regular moisturizing is important, even when the skin looks normal.

When the skin is calm, the routine can often be simplified, but the basic barrier care should continue.

Consistency beats intensity.

Frequently asked questions about childhood eczema

Are childhood eczema and atopic eczema the same thing?

When talking about childhood eczema, one usually means atopic eczema in children. But children can also have other forms of eczema and skin rashes.

Why do babies get eczema on their cheeks?

The cheeks are a typical area for atopic eczema in infants. However, red cheeks can also be caused by drool, cold, food contact, and other irritation.

Can childhood eczema be contagious?

No. Atopic eczema is not contagious.

Is childhood eczema an allergy?

Not necessarily. Allergy can occur at the same time, but atopic eczema is a complex inflammatory skin disease and is not automatically caused by allergy.

Should my child take a bath when they have eczema?

Yes. Use lukewarm water, avoid harsh washing, use soap-free products like Powder to Mousse, and apply moisturizer after the bath. The precise bath frequency can be adapted to the child.

Why does my child itch most at night?

Itching, inflammation, heat, and scratching can disrupt sleep. If the child frequently wakes up because of itching, the treatment should be evaluated by a doctor.

Which cream is best for childhood eczema?

A fragrance-free moisturizing product that the child tolerates is a good starting point. Some children benefit most from a cream, others from a thick ointment. For active eczema, there may also be a need for medical treatment.

Can I use Repair Perfume Free for my child?

Repair Perfume Free can be used as cosmetic care for dry skin if the child tolerates the ingredients. Repair has been used for the last 25 years and still works safely for most. For persistent or active childhood eczema, a doctor should assess the treatment needs.

Should I dilute Ai with water for childhood eczema?

I do not recommend home-diluted Ai as a general treatment routine for children. The method is not clinically validated, and the product can sting on damaged skin. Some people report mixing it into bathwater.

Is steroid cream dangerous for children?

Correctly chosen and applied topical steroid treatment is a well-documented part of the treatment of childhood eczema. The strength and application of the preparation must fit the child's age and the area being treated.

When should my child's eczema be seen by a doctor?

When the eczema is severe, widespread, painful, weeps, disrupts sleep, or does not respond to usual treatment. Rapidly occurring painful blisters or sores require urgent evaluation.

REMEMBER

You can always book a skin analysis with me, and I will gladly help. You can read much more about my skin analysis and service at this link.

When it comes to children, however, I would rather send you to the doctor once too often than once too seldom.

Skincare can be an important part of the daily care of childhood eczema. But it should never stand in the way of necessary medical treatment.

Hugs, Raz

Curious for knowledge?

Do you want to read more or see where I get my knowledge from, then here are some articles that I think are good.

1. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients

The American Academy of Dermatology's new guideline from 2026, specifically about children and young people. One of the most important sources in the article because it gathers the evidence for moisturizing, steroid cream, and modern medical treatment.

2. A systematic review of guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis in children

A systematic review of 28 international guidelines. Interesting because it shows where there is professional consensus and where recommendations vary, for example, regarding baths and moisturizing.

3. Recommendations for emollients, bathing and topical corticosteroids for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: a systematic review of guidelines

A systematic review of three central questions: How should the skin be cared for? How should one bathe? And how should topical steroid treatment be used?

4. Safety of topical medications in the management of paediatric atopic dermatitis: An updated systematic review

A review of the safety of topical medical treatment of childhood eczema. It is relevant for parents who are concerned about side effects and explains the differences between treatment groups.

5. Topical treatments for atopic dermatitis (eczema): Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials

A large network meta-analysis of randomized studies on topical treatment of atopic dermatitis. It compares the effect of different drugs on, among other things, disease activity, itching, and sleep.

6. Sleep Disturbances in Children With Atopic Dermatitis: A Scoping Review

A review with particular relevance for parents. It reviews how childhood eczema affects sleep, including through nocturnal scratching, frequent awakenings, and restless sleep.

7. Sleep Disturbances and Atopic Dermatitis: Relationships, Methods for Assessment, and Therapies

A broader scientific review of the relationship between atopic dermatitis and sleep disturbances. It shows why the burden of the disease cannot be assessed only based on the visible appearance of the skin.

8. Association Between Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization and Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of 26 studies on Staphylococcus aureus in children with atopic dermatitis. It documents the higher prevalence of the bacteria on eczema skin but does not show that the bacteria alone is the cause of the disease.

9. Skin and systemic infections in children with atopic dermatitis: review of the current evidence

A review from 2025 on bacterial, viral, and fungal infections in children with atopic dermatitis. Particularly relevant for the understanding of complications and the significance of a weakened skin barrier.

10. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Comparing Topical Corticosteroids With Vehicle/Moisturizer in Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

A meta-analysis that compares topical steroid treatment with vehicle/moisturizer. It found a higher proportion of treatment responders with steroid treatment but also highlights limitations in the data basis, especially for children under two years of age.