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British Association of Dermatologists

John Montgomery4 min read

British Association of Dermatologists

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) is the UK professional body for dermatologists and a registered charity (no. 258474). It writes patient information leaflets (PILs) that represent “a consensus of the views held by representatives” of the BAD. A lay review panel checks them for readability, and they are republished on its skinhealthinfo.org.uk site. It is a professional voice, not a guideline body like NICE. Its leaflets sit alongside NICE CG57 and point families to the National Eczema Society and Eczema Outreach Support.

British Association of Dermatologists [relates] NICE CG57 British Association of Dermatologists [relates] National Eczema Society

The atopic eczema leaflet (first produced 2004, last updated August 2025, next review August 2028) links eczema to Filaggrin and Skin Barrier Dysfunction. It says about 1 in 5 UK children develop eczema and 4 in 5 are clear by their teens. Treatment centres on “complete Emollient Therapy”: moisturising 2–3 or more times a day, using a soap substitute and taking moisturiser out with a spoon to avoid contamination. Topical Corticosteroids are used by potency, with weaning as needed. Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors are for when steroids do not work or are not suitable. Sedating Oral Antihistamines are for short-term night-time use only, not long-term treatment. The leaflet warns that Wet Wrap Therapy “may upset babies and young children because they can become too cold”, and that UV light (Phototherapy) is “not usually recommended for children”.

British Association of Dermatologists [supports] Emollient Therapy British Association of Dermatologists [supports] Topical Corticosteroids British Association of Dermatologists [relates] Wet Wrap Therapy Filaggrin [causes] Skin Barrier Dysfunction

The same leaflet is firmly against unproven remedies. It says healthcare professionals do not generally recommend Chinese Herbal Medicine because it can cause serious side effects such as liver inflammation. It also says people should avoid “natural” herbal creams, some of which have been found to contain strong steroids or harmful bacteria including MRSA (Adulterated Herbal Creams). It notes there is no strong evidence that breastfeeding, organic food or fish oil in pregnancy prevents eczema.

British Association of Dermatologists [opposes] Chinese Herbal Medicine British Association of Dermatologists [opposes] Adulterated Herbal Creams

Unregulated "natural" creams

BAD advises avoiding “natural” herbal eczema creams: some have been found to contain strong undeclared steroids or MRSA, which can be life-threatening.

On Topical Steroid Withdrawal, the BAD, the National Eczema Society and the British Dermatological Nursing Group published a joint statement in February 2024. It replaced the January 2021 NES/BAD position statement. The statement acknowledges TSW (also called red skin syndrome or topical steroid addiction) and notes there is no clear definition and very little research. It lists conditions that can mimic TSW, such as eczema relapse, rebound redness, Perioral Dermatitis, infection and contact allergy. It says concerns about TSW should not put people off TCS where they help. Its approach to Steroid Phobia is supportive and looks for common ground. Members remain divided. In a 2024 survey of BAD members only 11.6% felt “very confident” addressing TSW concerns and 61.2% thought TSW reflected typical eczema relapse. A separate 2025 survey of 103 UK dermatologists found only 34% saw TSW as a distinct entity.

British Association of Dermatologists [relates] Topical Steroid Withdrawal British Association of Dermatologists [opposes] Steroid Phobia MHRA [relates] Topical Steroid Withdrawal

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