Announcing Our CASCADE Study Results

Every caregiver wants to give their child the best start in life, and that includes taking extra care of their baby’s delicate skin. Recently, our pediatric clinic in East Portland participated in a groundbreaking study to better understand how early skin care practices can help protect babies from irritation, eczema and even potential allergies.

If you’re a parent and want to learn more about best practices for infant skin care, the results of the Community-Based Assessment of Skin Care, Allergies and Eczema (CASCADE) study offers valuable insights.

What is the CASCADE Study?

Conducted between July 2018 and January 2021, the study invited families from Colorado, North Carolina, Oregon and Wisconsin to participate. The goal: To determine the most effective ways to protect infants’ skin from irritation and reduce their risk of developing eczema and allergies.

Participants included 69 parent-child pairs with infants aged 0 to 8 weeks at the time of enrollment. Guided by expert protocols, families were split into two groups:

• Moisturizer Group: Families were instructed to apply moisturizer to their baby’s skin from birth.
• Natural Skin Group: Families maintained their baby’s skin without additional products.

Throughout the two-year study, parents answered short questions every three months and completed detailed surveys at one and two years.

CASCADE Study Results

The study concluded with 68 complete data sets, offering a wealth of information on how early skin care impacts long-term outcomes. Here’s what we found:

Incidence of Eczema. Out of the 68 infants studied, 17 (25%) were diagnosed with eczema by the time they reached two years of age. This highlights how common eczema can be during early childhood.

Moisturizer Reduced Eczema Risk. Using moisturizer from birth significantly reduced the likelihood of developing eczema. Infants in the moisturizer group experienced a:

• 16% reduction in eczema risk overall.
• 22% reduction in eczema risk for babies who were not classified as high-risk.

These findings emphasize the protective benefits of moisturizer application as part of early skin care, even for families with no prior history of eczema.

Why These Findings Matter for Parents

Eczema is more than just dry, itchy skin—it can affect sleep quality, increase discomfort and even impact a child’s confidence later in life. Preventing eczema is a proactive step toward securing your child’s long-term health and well-being.

The study’s results suggest that incorporating a simple moisturizer into your baby’s daily routine could make a measurable difference, even for families without pre-existing skin sensitivities.

Supporting Families in East Portland

We’re proud to be part of research like CASCADE, which provides parents with evidence-based advice to support their child’s health. Our experienced pediatricians are always here to answer your questions about baby skin care, eczema prevention and more.

If you’re looking for personalized guidance on caring for your baby’s skin, call us at our pediatric clinic in East Portland. Families are at the heart of everything we do, and we’ll work with you every step of the way to ensure your child thrives in a happy, healthy environment.

What’s Next for Baby Skin Care?

The findings from the CASCADE study indicate a promising avenue for protecting infant skin and reducing eczema risk early in life. However, it’s important to note that every baby is different. If you’re uncertain about introducing moisturizer or have concerns about your child’s skin health, consult us for advice.

Curious about protecting your baby’s skin? Schedule a visit with us today to discuss the best practices for your child’s unique needs. Together, we can give your baby the healthy start they deserve.

Want to Participate?

East Portland Pediatric Clinic is collaborating with Oregon Health & Science University’s Department of Dermatology on a childhood eczema screening study looking for volunteer families with children ages 30 days to 2 years.

Help researchers find out if it is possible to detect eczema remotely via an apple iOS application without an in-person clinic visit. (Apple is currently the only iOS used for this study.)The PARADE study is remote and involves surveys and taking pictures of your child’s arms, legs, and neck with an app quarterly for a year. Compensation of up to $80 is available.

How do I participate?

To answer just a few screening questions to determine eligibility please click here or read more about the screening here.