A recent study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology has found that early childhood stressful life events are associated with an increased risk of exacerbating atopic dermatitis (AD) in children. The research suggests that managing stress in early childhood could help reduce flare-ups of the skin condition.
The study, led by Katrina Abuabara, M.D., of the University of California, San Francisco, followed a cohort of 13,972 children aged 1 to 8.5 years from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. The researchers aimed to determine the impact of stressful life events on AD severity and activity during early childhood.
The findings revealed a small increase in the risk of AD activity for each standard deviation increase in stressful life events. This increase in risk was more pronounced in children with moderate-to-severe AD and when considering a cumulative measure of stressful events throughout childhood. For instance, common life stressors like starting a new school or gaining a sibling were found to contribute more significantly to AD flare-ups than more severe adverse events such as parental separation or abuse.
The researchers suggest that parents and healthcare providers should consider proactive treatments, such as moisturizing and managing stress, to help prevent flare-ups during periods of increased stress. Additionally, stress-reduction strategies have been shown to improve AD symptoms and may be beneficial for children facing stressful life events.
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