Could childhood infections be linked to eczema?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-07-30 01:00

International

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International researchers have found a link between the number of infections in early childhood and the risk of developing atopic dermatitis (eczema) before age 10. They looked at data from 663 children in a Danish study, which included daily diary-registered infection episodes of colds, ear infections, tonsillitis, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and fever until age three. They found respiratory infections were linked to atopic dermatitis in a dose-dependent manner, meaning more infections were linked to a higher likelihood of atopic dermatitis. The team says their findings suggest early exposure to nasty bugs could affect the immune system balance in a way that could assist the development of atopic dermatitis, but more research needs to be done to confirm this, as other similar studies have returned inconsistent findings, such as one that suggests hygiene might play a role.

News release

From: JAMA

Early Respiratory Infection Burden and Atopic Dermatitis in Childhood

Are early-life infections associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) development in childhood? In this cohort study of 2 independent Danish and US birth cohorts of children aged 0 to 10 years, the number of infections in early life was associated with an increased risk of AD development until age 10 years. Results of this study suggest that early-childhood respiratory infection burden is associated with a higher risk of AD in a dose-dependent manner.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Dermatology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Denmark

Funder: Dr Brunstad received funding from the Independent Research Fund Denmark (5253-00016B) and the LEO Foundation (LF-OC-26-002738). Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Schoos reported personal fees from ALK; speaker and advisory board and personal fees from ThermoFisher Scientific; speaker and personal fees from Stallergenes Greer; and speaker fees and grants from LEO Foundation outside the submitted work. Dr Lasky-Su reported grants from TruDiagnostic, other support from TruDiagnostic Scientific; advisor fees and other support from Antipode; scientific advisor and personal fees from TruDiagnostic; and grants from Toto and from Calico outside the submitted work; in addition, Dr Lasky-Su had a patent formetabolite ratios pending. No other disclosures were reported.

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