Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of children and adults worldwide. Characterized by dry, itchy, inflamed skin, eczema can significantly impact quality of life, from disrupted sleep and self-esteem issues to physical discomfort and emotional stress.
While there’s no known cure, the medical community continues to search for better, longer-lasting treatment options, and clinical trials are at the forefront of that effort.
Whether you or your child is struggling with recurring flare-ups, side effects from current treatments, or hard-to-control symptoms, you may be eligible for clinical trials testing innovative new therapies.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It typically begins in early childhood, but it can develop or persist into adulthood. For some, it’s a lifelong battle.
Common symptoms include:
- Dry, scaly, or cracked skin
- Intense itching, often worse at night
- Red or inflamed patches (may appear darker on brown or black skin)
- Oozing or crusting in severe cases
- Thickened or leathery skin from repeated scratching
Flare-ups can be triggered by environmental irritants, allergens, stress, sweating, or even weather changes.
Who Gets Eczema?
Eczema can affect anyone, but certain individuals are more prone to developing it:
- Children with a family history of eczema, allergies, or asthma
- Adults who had eczema in childhood, though it may return or worsen later in life
- People with allergies or sensitivities to soaps, detergents, or fabrics
- Individuals with immune system imbalances
Approximately 10-20% of children and up to 10% of adults in the U.S. have some form of eczema, though many go undiagnosed or under-treated.
Childhood Eczema
In children, eczema often begins before the age of 5. For some, it improves or disappears with age, but others continue to struggle into adolescence and adulthood.
Parents often notice symptoms on the face, scalp, elbows, or knees. Children may become restless, irritable, or have trouble sleeping due to constant itching.
Pediatric eczema can cause:
- Disrupted sleep and feeding routines
- Increased risk of skin infections
- Emotional distress and behavioral changes
- Long-term risk of developing allergies or asthma (the “atopic march”)
Parents seeking safe, steroid-free, or longer-lasting treatments often turn to clinical trials as a potential path forward.
Adult Eczema
Adult eczema can be a continuation from childhood, or it can appear for the first time later in life. Symptoms often affect the hands, neck, eyelids, and body folds.
Adults may experience:
- Chronic or more severe symptoms
- Skin thickening from repeated scratching (lichenification)
- Greater psychological impact, including anxiety or depression
- Reactions to workplace irritants (e.g., soaps, gloves, chemicals)
Adults often require a different treatment approach than children and may have already tried multiple medications without long-term success.
Traditional Treatments—Helpful but Limited
Common treatment strategies include:
Topical Therapies
- Corticosteroids (short-term relief, but long-term use has risks)
- Calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus)
- Moisturizers and barrier creams
Systemic Therapies
- Antihistamines for itch relief
- Oral corticosteroids (not ideal for long-term use)
- Immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine, methotrexate)
- Biologic drugs (e.g., dupilumab) for moderate-to-severe cases
Despite these options, many patients still experience flare-ups, side effects, or treatment fatigue. That’s why clinical trials are so important.
What Are Clinical Trials for Eczema?
Clinical trials are research studies that test new or improved treatments for eczema in both children and adults. These treatments may offer:
- Better itch and inflammation control
- Fewer side effects than current therapies
- Longer-lasting remission
- Steroid-free alternatives
- Biologics or precision therapies that target immune pathways more directly
Trials are typically supervised by dermatologists and researchers at top institutions, and all participants receive close medical monitoring.
Who Can Join a Clinical Trial?
You or your child may qualify for a clinical trial if:
- You've been diagnosed with moderate to severe eczema
- Standard treatments have not worked well, or you’ve experienced side effects
- You’re interested in contributing to the future of eczema care
Eligibility varies by study, but trials are available for infants, children, teens, and adults. Some trials are even designed for mild cases to help prevent escalation of symptoms.
Benefits of Participating in a Clinical Trial
- Access to new, potentially more effective treatments
- Close supervision by expert dermatology teams
- Free medical care related to the study
- Compensation for time and travel (in many cases)
- A chance to help improve treatment for others living with eczema
Participants often gain a deeper understanding of their condition and how to manage it more effectively.
Find the Right Clinical Trial for You or Your Child
Living with eczema can feel isolating, frustrating, and exhausting—but you don’t have to face it alone. Clinical trials are helping shape the next generation of eczema treatments, with promising options on the horizon for both adults and children.
If you or your child is dealing with stubborn eczema symptoms or are unsatisfied with current therapies, participating in a clinical trial could be a meaningful step toward relief.
Take the first step toward better skin health.
👉 [Find Eczema Clinical Trials Near You]