Ask the Experts: Managing Eczema Injectables
Injectables, like dupixent (Dupilumab), changed the way we treat eczema—not just by managing skin symptoms, but by potentially improving related allergic conditions like asthma, hay fever, and food allergies. Injectables can also reduce overuse of topical steroids. But injectables are just that: injected. And nobody, especially kids, likes needles.
We asked parents of kids who use injectable treatments for eczema about their tips and tricks for getting through injections.
Here’s what they said:
For our 6-year-old, we talk to her beforehand and reassure her that it’s helping. She helps with wiping her thigh and taking it out of the fridge. — Aisha Bryant
When she was little, closing our eyes and singing Twinkle Twinkle — she knew it was done before the song was over. Now, she's a pro! — Santanna Marie
I let my son pick when he gets his shot and let the shot get to room temp. He likes to have his sister hold his hand, and he gets a little something special afterwards. — Jacky Lehman Meggison
A lot of positive talk. Allowing her to feel the feelings. I always do the back of her arm (her choice, so she doesn’t see me doing it), and we take deep breaths while I slowly do the injection. — Kacey Jenkins
Why choose injectables for your child with eczema?
Choosing an injectable therapy for your child's eczema is never easy, but they have proven to be transformative. Although clinical trials support their safety, they’ve only been around for about a decade, and we’re still learning about their full impact.
Because clinical trials are costly, a team of researchers led by Dr. Marjolein de Bruin in the Netherlands has been collecting real-world data from patients using biologics. The databases can reveal patterns that aren’t picked up in clinical trials.
Surprisingly, biologics seem to help with other allergic conditions like asthma, hay fever, and food allergies, which are common in kids with eczema.
Want to learn more about injectable treatments for eczema?
On episode 54 of the Eczema Breakthroughs Podcast, Dr. Peter Lio joined us for an enlightening conversation about existing, newly approved, and "coming soon" treatments for kids suffering from eczema — covering everything from pills to injections to creams.
Could injectable drugs stop eczema by teaching a child's developing immune system to be less reactive? In episode 45, Dr. Amy Paller from Northwestern University in Chicago and Dr. Elaine Siegfried from Saint Louis University in Missouri shared their expertise on stopping or tapering biologics and what happens to the immune system when children are on them.
Do you need to use injectables forever? In episode 31, Dr. Marlies de Graaf from University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands talks about how long you have to take a biologic, who can stop using Dupixent, or even get injections less frequently.
The bottom line
If you are considering an injectable eczema treatment for your child, it’s worth talking to your healthcare provider. With better skin, fewer infections, and reduced allergic responses, biologics may offer more than just relief—they may offer a better quality of life.
