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and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in February 2023. She attended Kent State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism with minors in public relations and creative writing. She enjoys making and listening to music, reading, and spending time with her cats, Astrid and Marceline.

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Maddi Hebebrand is an associate editor of 

and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in May 2024. She attended Baldwin Wallace University, studying Media Production and Film, and is now finishing her Masters in Digital Media through Ohio University. When she's not writing, Maddi loves to read, attend concerts and spend time with her family.

Spearheaded by John Zampella, MD, FAAD, and Mitchell Hanson, the project highlights how art can foster community and empathy in dermatology.

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Daily Derm Times: April 17, 2025

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Dupilumab given concomitantly with topical corticosteroids significantly improved signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults refractory to or intolerant of cyclosporine A, a study shows.

Dupilumab tames AD in difficult-to-treat patients

Final Thoughts: The Importance of Comparative Studies in AD

Panelists offer concluding insights and emphasize the critical role of comparative studies in advancing atopic dermatitis treatment strategies.

clinical

Video Series

Codex Labs’ Bia Eczema Relief Lotion has been awarded the Microbiome-friendly Certification, according to the MyMicrobiome Standard, and the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance.

 It is the first over-the-counter topical eczema therapy to achieve these certifications simultaneously. The skin tech company announced the news in a press release earlier this week.

"We are thrilled that our products have been recognized as non-irritating for over 30 million Americans who suffer from eczema, as well as microbiome safe. We remain dedicated to creating solutions that protect and restore the skin barrier while supporting the microbiome," Barbara Paldus, PhD, founder and CEO of Codex, said in a statement.

The lotion utilizes a novel, patent-pending BiaComplex 2.0, which combines active cellular extracts from terrestrial and marine plants. The technology supports hydration, skin barrier repair, and itch reduction by increasing the production of ceramides and structural proteins on the face, hands, and body.

In order to receive the NEA Seal of Acceptance, a product must be tested for sensitivity, irritation, and toxicity. The NEA’s Scientific Oversight Committee also reviews the ingredients and formulation data. To achieve the MyMicrobiome Standard certification, a product must perform 4 tests on quality, balance, diversity, and vitality to ensure it is microbiome friendly. 

 is vital to skin health as it aids in barrier protection, wound repair, immune regulation, and defense against pathogens.

 Disruption in the microbiome’s balance can lead to skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, acne, and psoriasis.

The product was clinically tested in a 2024 open-label study alongside the company’s Bia Unscented Soap, which is also MyMicrobiome-certified and carries the NEA Seal of Acceptance, and the Antü Skin Barrier Support supplement. This “Ditch the Itch” trio was evaluated in participants with mild to moderate eczema, with a SCORing for Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) of 34.5. After 8 weeks of use, all patients saw up to a 93% reduction in SCORAD score. Over 90% of participants observed an 88% decrease in itch, a 177% increase in hydration, and an 83% decrease in desquamation.

“The ‘Ditch the Itch’ set was tested in a clinical study and performed well for managing moderate eczema. It is remarkable to think that these are over-the-counter products, available to everyone without a prescription,” said 

 “Such clinical results demonstrate the importance of addressing skin conditions with both topicals and ingestibles in an integrative, inside-out approach.”

Lio is a a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He is also the founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center and a Codex Labs Medical Advisory Board member.

Want to hear more pearls and insights on atopic dermatitis from Lio and other experts? Join us at the annual 

Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference

 this June in Nashville, TN. Use code DT40 for 40% off your RAD 2025 registration.

1. Codex Labs OTC Bia Eczema Relief Lotion Is Awarded Seal of Acceptance from National Eczema Association and Microbiome-Friendly Certification from MyMicrobiome. News Release. Globe Newswire. Published April 8, 2025. Accessed April 11, 2025. 

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/08/3057642/0/en/Codex-Labs-OTC-Bia-Eczema-Relief-Lotion-Is-Awarded-Seal-of-Acceptance-from-National-Eczema-Association-and-Microbiome-Friendly-Certification-from-MyMicrobiome.html

2. Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. 

 2018;16(3):143-155. doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.157

3. Cundell AM. Microbial Ecology of the Human Skin.

 2018;76(1):113-120. doi:10.1007/s00248-016-0789-6

Codex Labs' Bia Eczema Relief Lotion has achieved both the Microbiome-friendly Certification and the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, marking it as the first over-the-counter eczema therapy to do so. The lotion features a novel BiaComplex 2.0, enhancing skin hydration and barrier repair. Clinical trials demonstrated significant improvements in eczema symptoms, including itch reduction and increased hydration. The product is part of a "Ditch the Itch" trio, which showed remarkable efficacy in managing moderate eczema, highlighting the importance of integrative approaches combining topicals and ingestibles.

The company also announced in a press release that the product received the Seal of Acceptance by the NEA.

Codex Labs Lotion is First Eczema OTC Topical to Achieve Microbiome-Friendly Certification

A scoping review evaluated current disparities within pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) in the United States.

It was found that children from racial minority groups, lower-income families who have public or no insurance, and Southern or rural regions have higher AD prevalence and severity, more comorbidities and hospitalizations, and reduced access to care. Pediatric AD can affect up to 20% of children in the United States.

The systematic review included literature published from January 2021 to May 2024 on PubMed, Embase, Wiley, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. After an initial search yielded over 2000 results, 53 studies met the criteria and were later included. Literature content was categorized by race and ethnicity disparities (49), socioeconomic factors (18), regional and environmental disparities (6), and sex and gender disparities (11). The studies commented on disease prevalence, comorbidities, access to care, medical outcomes, and other topics.

American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic, and Asian children had higher odds of AD, compared to White children. Children of color had between 2% and 10% absolute higher AD prevalence. There was also an 8% to 24% absolute increase in hospitalizations and ambulatory or urgent care visits. Black children had higher odds of poor disease control and earlier, more persistent AD when compared to White children. Black and Hispanic children were less likely to receive treatments, be seen by a health care provider, and be represented in clinical trials and dermatology textbooks. Those with AD had a greater risk of financial troubles, food insecurity, and sleep disturbance than White patients.

Children with public insurance had a higher prevalence of AD compared to those with private insurance, by about 6%. Those without insurance were more prone to delayed and unfilled prescriptions. They also experienced more transport-delayed care, longer hospitalizations, more behavioral issues, increased food insecurity, and higher fatigue scores. Children who lived in households with higher income and education levels had lower odds of developing psychological comorbidities and/or discontinuing treatment. There was also an increase in care access as there were more AD and allergy diagnoses. In a previous review from 2021, it was also found that most of the disparities in pediatric dermatology occur across racial/ethnic groups and socioeconomic factors.

When looking at geographical factors, disease prevalence was higher in the South, with 2% to 4% of pediatric patients in this region having AD Medicaid claims and lower treatment rates. It has also been reported that there is a lack of pediatric dermatologists in the rural regions of the US. Those who lived farther from a major road had 26.1% lower odds of AD. Additionally, over 91% of AD-related visits occurred in urban settings, due to increased access to care and greater exposure to traffic and air pollutants.

Regarding sex and gender, girls had approximately 2% to 4% absolute higher disease prevalence than boys, which could be due to increased female hormones like estrogen. However, boys had a higher risk of early and more persistent AD with more comorbidities compared to girls. Thus, boys were also more likely to receive systemic corticosteroids.

These findings are comparable to pediatric health disparities across the world. To address these, global health leaders should aim to provide affordable care, housing, and transportation with an increased number of dermatologists and free health clinics in some regions. Additionally, clinicians should be better trained on identifying conditions in skin of color, according to the authors. Future research can address other gaps in knowledge related to patients who are in the LGBTQ+ community, those who are unhoused, or those who have disabilities.

Want to hear more pearls and expert insights on AD? Join us at the annual 

 this June in Nashville, TN! Use code DT40 for 40% off your RAD 2025 registration.

1. Gottlieb S, Madkins K, Lio P. An Updated Scoping Review of Disparities in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis. 

 Published online April 1, 2025. doi:10.1111/pde.15914

2. Wolter S, Price HN. Atopic dermatitis.

2014;61(2):241-260. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2013.11.002

3. Kuo, A., Silverberg, N., Fernandez Faith, E., Morgan, R., & Todd, P. (2021). A systematic scoping review of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities in pediatric dermatology. 

Disparities in pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) in the U.S. are influenced by race, socioeconomic status, and geography. Minority children, those from lower-income families, and those in Southern or rural areas experience higher AD prevalence, severity, and comorbidities, with reduced access to care. The review analyzed 53 studies, highlighting racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, regional, and gender disparities. Black and Hispanic children face significant barriers in treatment access and representation. Addressing these disparities requires improved healthcare access, increased dermatologists, and better training for clinicians in identifying conditions in diverse skin types.

Recent literature shows that children from racial minority groups with lower-income families have higher disease prevalence but reduced access to care.

Pediatric AD Disparities in the United States: An Updated Review

Jiyeon Oh, a researcher and MD candidate at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, discussed key takeaways for dermatologists treating patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), 

based on her recently published literature

Jiyeon Oh’s research confirms that a personalized approach is needed to treat all complexities associated with AD.

Why Atopic Dermatitis Treatment is Not “One Size Fits All,” According to Jiyeon Oh

One of the main points Ohemphasized is that AD remains a significant burden for dermatologists, particularly in high-income countries where its prevalence is highest. She stressed that because the disease burden varies by region, a "one size fits all" approach is insufficient. Dermatologists need to consider environmental, genetic, and socioeconomic factors to personalize treatment strategies. Additionally, the mental health impact of AD is profound. Patients with severe AD often experience anxiety and depression, and Oh encouraged dermatologists to adopt a holistic approach, addressing both the physical symptoms and the psychological aspects of care.

Oh also identified several study limitations, which may influence further research. Notably, the 2021 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) did not assess modifiable risk factors for AD, unlike for asthma. While asthma burden was linked to factors such as high BMI, smoking, and pollution, similar analyses were absent for AD, which limits the understanding of environmental and lifestyle contributors to the disease. Oh highlighted the need for future studies to focus on quantifying the burden associated with modifiable risk factors to aid prevention efforts. Additionally, the GBD study relied on fewer data sources for AD compared to asthma, underscoring the need for more comprehensive and standardized collection to enhance the accuracy of prevalence and incidence estimates.

Finally, Oh emphasized the importance of region-specific intervention strategies. In high-income countries, efforts should focus on reducing environmental triggers, expanding treatment access, and integrating mental health support into AD care. Conversely, in lower-income regions, improving healthcare infrastructure and raising awareness of disease management should be prioritized. Overall, she urged dermatologists to advocate for better data collection and healthcare policies to improve long-term disease management for AD.

Want to hear more pearls and expert insights on AD? Join us at the annual 

 this June in Nashville, TN! Use code DT40 for 40% off your RAD 2025 registration.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) presents a significant challenge for dermatologists, especially in high-income countries. Personalized treatment strategies are essential, considering environmental, genetic, and socioeconomic factors. The mental health impact of AD is substantial, necessitating a holistic care approach. Current research lacks analysis of modifiable risk factors for AD, unlike asthma, highlighting the need for future studies. Region-specific intervention strategies are crucial, focusing on environmental triggers and mental health support in high-income areas, and healthcare infrastructure in lower-income regions. Improved data collection and healthcare policies are vital for effective long-term management.

Jiyeon Oh, a researcher and MD candidate at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, recently published a paper in 

 examining asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD).

, Oh provided insights on the findings related to AD's global burden, prevalence, and corresponding healthcare implications.

Researcher Jiyeon Oh shares results of a recent study that confirm the prevalence of AD is stable, but disease burden is rising.

Atopic Dermatitis Insights on Global Prevalence, Health Care Implications, and the Impact of COVID-19

The 2021 GBD study offers the most up-to-date estimates on atopic dermatitis, tracking its prevalence, incidence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021. By 2021, approximately 129 million people worldwide were affected by AD. While the total number of cases has increased due to population growth, the age-standardized prevalence rate remained stable, suggesting that the actual rate of AD hasn't risen significantly over time.

Projections indicate that by 2050, there will be 148 million cases, with minimal change in the prevalence rate. One key observation by Oh and the investigators was the geographic variation, where high-income countries showed the highest prevalence and DALY rates. This is likely influenced by environmental factors, urbanization, and better diagnostic capabilities.

Despite the relatively stable prevalence, the increase in the number of AD cases means that healthcare systems will continue to face growing demand for treatments. Oh noted that AD's impact extends beyond skin symptoms, with patients often experiencing sleep disturbances, mental health issues, and long-term costs. She emphasized the need for healthcare systems to adopt sustainable, long-term management plans for AD, as it is a lifelong condition for many.

According to Oh, one surprising finding from the study was that atopic dermatitis prevalence was not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike asthma, which saw a decline in cases. Despite expectations that COVID-19 might increase AD prevalence due to heightened risk, no significant fluctuations were observed, suggesting that factors other than the pandemic may have a stronger influence on AD trends.

1. GBD 2021 Asthma and Allergic Diseases Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of asthma and atopic dermatitis, 1990-2021, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. 

Published online March 24, 2025. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(25)00003-7

Jiyeon Oh's research, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, analyzes the global burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) using data from the Global Burden of Diseases Study. The study reveals that while the number of AD cases has increased due to population growth, the age-standardized prevalence rate has remained stable. High-income countries exhibit the highest prevalence and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) rates, influenced by environmental factors and diagnostic capabilities. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, AD prevalence remained unaffected, highlighting the need for sustainable, long-term management plans for this lifelong condition.

A recent study further analyzed topical cannabinoid therapy for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

The tested formulation, which features 30% cannabidiol (CBD) and 5% cannabigerol (CBG), improved the skin’s hydration, lipid content, transepidermal water loss, and erythema.

 are the most commonly used cannabinoid substances in dermatology and can often be found in compounded medications, gels, creams, and emulsions.

“Throughout the ages, the medicinal properties of hemp have been recognized, and the plants have been used to treat all types of skin inflammation,” the authors wrote.

The experimental, interventional study took place from May to July 2022. The trial included 9 patients (5 men and 4 women) between the ages of 20 to 67 years old with a clinical diagnosis of AD. The average age was 34.7 years.

The tested product was comprised of 30% CBD, 5% CBG, Cannabis sativa L. sativa oil, hemp seed oil, and cholesterol ointment. Patients underwent allergy tests prior to the study to determine if any ingredients would cause an allergic reaction. They were also asked to refrain from using any other cosmetic or medical products on the area. The ointment was applied to the affected regions of the forearms once a day right before going to bed. Participants were instructed to cover the area with dressing to enhance the product’s effectiveness.

Evaluations were conducted at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Disease parameters were recorded using the SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) and EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index) scales. Investigators measured several biophysical skin parameters, including corneometry, transepidermal water loss, sebumetry, and acidity. Before and after capillaroscopy images were taken.

After week 8, there was an increase in hydration compared to baseline (

 < 0.01). A similar change was seen in transepidermal water loss, with the greatest reduction seen at week 8 versus baseline (

 < 0.05). A significant increase in sebum level was observed only at week 8 (

Erythema decreased significantly as early as week 4 (

 < 0.05) with an even greater decrease 8 weeks after treatment began (

 < 0.01). According to investigators, there were no statistically significant changes in melanin concentration (

= 0.389). Skin lesions and itch were also reduced, and some patients found symptom remission. These findings align with similar literature that has been published regularly since 2005.

“A comparison of the results of our study with the findings of other studies has shown a common correlation between the application of creams and ointments containing selected cannabinoids and the improvement of the skin parameters in the studied patients, including hydration, sebum level, TEWL, erythema, and skin pH level,” the authors wrote.

Some patients did not fully comply with the regimen as they felt the texture of the product was too fatty. Further trials can utilize a greater sample size and ensure that participants follow the at-home instructions properly to avoid misuse or discontinuation. A repeat study is also recommended during the autumn-to-winter months when symptoms of AD are usually exacerbated.

The researchers recommend that future reviews, studies, and reports differentiate the types of cannabinoid products and their concentrations to avoid misinformation and self-medication. For example, these topicals should not be used for all dermatological conditions. Additionally, clinicians and patients should recognize the differences between essential and fixed oils.

Want to hear more pearls and expert insights on AD? Join us at the annual

this June in Nashville, TN! Use code DT40 for 40% off your RAD 2025 registration.

1. Burczyk DD, Wcisło-Dziadecka D, Olczyk P, Chełmecka E, Burczyk WK. Evaluation of Biophysical Parameters of the Skin of Patients With Atopic Dermatitis After Application of an Ointment Containing 30% Cannabidiol and 5% Cannabigerol. 

 2025;18:649-662. Published 2025 Mar 19. doi:10.2147/CCID.S472746

2. Kuchciak–Brancewicz M. Oleogel and Celugel–new media in Polish pharmacy formula. 

A study evaluated the effects of a topical cannabinoid therapy containing 30% cannabidiol (CBD) and 5% cannabigerol (CBG) on patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Conducted over eight weeks, the study showed significant improvements in skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and erythema. While some patients experienced symptom remission, others found the product's texture too fatty. The study suggests further research with larger sample sizes and emphasizes the need for differentiation in cannabinoid product types and concentrations to prevent misinformation and inappropriate self-medication.

Use of the product showed positive changes in the skin’s hydration, lipid content, transepidermal water loss, and erythema.

Wayne Kuznar

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