Prevention of atopic eczema through appropriate neonatal skin care practices.

Impact: Health impacts

Narrative

Atopic eczema affects approximately 30% of children, causing suffering at a crucial time in their development. An increasing prevalence has raised concern that newborn skin care may be a factor. University of Manchester (UoM) research explored the effect of a range of products including commercial baby skin care products on skin integrity. We identified harmful practices related to topical oil use; established that a specially formulated newborn cleansing product was safe; and demonstrated increased maternal-reported nappy rash, when cotton wool and water, as opposed to baby wipes, were used. The findings have: changed the attitudes of healthcare professionals to baby skin care practices; informed the guidance provided to parents of newborns, allowing them to make informed choices (a YouTube video featuring the research has been viewed almost 400,000 times); and increased sales of Johnson & Johnson baby skin care products by 15%.
Impact date2014
Category of impactHealth impacts
Impact levelBenefit

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