The International Eczema Council (IEC) meeting in advance of the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, was a crossover event.
The IEC partnered with both the National Eczema Association (NEA) and National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) to present “Converging Pathways: Atopic Dermatitis and Alopecia Areata.”
“It is really important because I feel that we are missing on some treatments that would be very safe for patients,” IEC co-founder, board member, and councilor Emma Guttman, MD, PhD, told Practical Dermatology. “A biologic such as the IL-4 receptor, but not only that; there are others that are potentials for this group of patients. And we are very excited to make a difference.”
Dr. Guttman presented on pathogenic similarities and differences between alopecia areata and atopic dermatitis, and Benjamin Ungar, MD, presented on the epidemiology of the two conditions as comorbidities. Peter Lio, MD; Natasha Mesinkovska, MD, PhD; and Amy Paller, MD, MS, presented on new treatment developments for the two conditions.
“Treat the atropy, treat the alopecia areata, particularly for kids,” Dr. Mesinkovska said. “Why do I say that? There is this whole concept of atopic march, and we never really tied these things together; I think that is why still a lot of people are pushing back on this. And when you talk about atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata, it’s not for every patient. It’s for people who have these things together. But in children, it’s definitely … 50%, 60% almost? In adults, it’s definitely 30%. So, if you can address something, by all means, we really should.”