Skin condition and barrier function in individuals with a history of atopic dermatitis

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by a multifaceted interplay of factors including skin barrier dysfunction, immunoregulation, environmental influences, and potential infectious agents. While AD lesions commonly ameliorate or resolve with age, individuals with a history of AD often retain susceptibility to irritants even after symptom remission. Objectives: We aimed to investigate skin condition and barrier function of volunteers with a history of AD in order to obtain insight into their skin care. Materials & Methods: A cohort comprising 62 adults participated in this study; 30 subjects with a history of AD and 32 in the control group. Assessment parameters included hydration level, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin barrier recovery following stratum corneum damage induced by tape-stripping, skin roughness, blood flow, and skin sensitivity. Additionally, the levels of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) and ceramides of inner forearm skin were analysed. Results: No significant differences were observed regarding hydration level, sensitivity score, and TEWL on the cheek area between the AD history and control group. Similarly, comparisons of hydration level, NMF level, ceramide level, and blood flow on the inner forearm skin did not reveal significant differences between the AD history and control group. However, the AD history group displayed significantly higher TEWL values, delayed skin barrier recovery following stratum corneum damage, and skin roughness on the inner forearm skin. Conclusion: Individuals with a history of AD, even after symptom resolution and displaying a normal appearance, present compromised skin barrier function and resistance to barrier damage.