What's new in atopic eczema? An analysis of systematic reviews published in 2015. Part 2: prevention and treatment.

ABSTRACT

This review forms part of a series of annual updates that summarize the evidence base for atopic eczema (AE), providing a succinct guide for clinicians and patients. It provides a summary of key findings from 26 systematic reviews that were published during 2015, and focuses on the treatment and prevention of AE. For systematic reviews on the epidemiology and methodological issues, see Part 1 of this update. Topical corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome, 'steroid addiction', has been evaluated in a high-quality systematic review, which helps better define this entity and the risk factors for it. A Cochrane Review has not demonstrated any association between topical corticosteroid use in pregnancy and adverse outcomes, although very large quantities of potent/very potent topical corticosteroids may be associated with reduced birth weight. House dust mite avoidance strategies do not appear to prevent AE. Exposure to probiotics prenatally and in early infancy may help prevent AE, but there is no evidence that maternal diet or supplementation has a preventative effect.