Why eczema often starts in childhood: New clues point to early immune 'overreaction'
Medical Xpress
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A recent study reveals that eczema frequently begins in childhood due to an overreactive immune response in early life. Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Weill Cornell Medicine, and other institutions have identified that certain skin immune cells are more reactive in young mice compared to adults. This heightened reactivity makes children more susceptible to inflammation and allergic skin conditions like eczema.
The study focused on specific immune cells—dendritic cells and T-cells—in the skin of young mice. These cells were found to trigger stronger inflammatory responses when exposed to environmental triggers, which can compromise the skin's barrier function and lead to eczema. Unlike adult skin, where these reactions are more controlled, the early-life system appears less regulated, contributing to heightened allergic responses.
Understanding this immune overreaction in children is crucial for developing preventive strategies and new treatments. It highlights the potential benefits of targeting early-life immune responses to reduce the risk of eczema. While further research is needed to translate these findings into human applications, this discovery opens doors for innovative therapies aimed at modulating immune reactions in young individuals.
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/25/2026