Bathing frequency is associated with skin barrier dysfunction and atopic dermatitis at three months of age

Abstract

It is widely believed that bathing practices have an impact on the development and progression of atopic dermatitis (AD). Skin barrier impairment, filaggrin (FLG) mutation carriage, and AD are strongly interrelated.1 The former, as determined by transepidermal water loss (TEWL), has been shown to be linked to the development of AD2 and food allergy.3 AD management guidelines recommend that bathing should be minimized4; however, the evidence base for the impact of bathing on skin barrier function, AD, and its development is limited.