National Eczema Association
The National Eczema Association (NEA) is a US non-profit (501(c)(3)) for people with eczema. It publishes medically reviewed treatment pages, funds research and runs a provider directory. It is a patient organisation, not a guideline body. Its pages describe US practice (for example the American Academy of Dermatology guidelines) rather than setting standards like NICE CG57. Its UK counterpart is the National Eczema Society.
National Eczema Association [relates] Atopic Dermatitis National Eczema Association [relates] National Eczema Society
Since 2008 the NEA has run the Seal of Acceptance, a mark that brands apply for voluntarily. Products in categories such as moisturisers, cleansers, sunscreens, wipes and laundry products must contain none of the ingredients on the NEA “Ecz-clusion List”. The list includes many fragrance allergens (citral, coumarin, eugenol, cinnamal), citrus peel oils, bacitracin and benzocaine. Products also need clinical safety testing (a human repeat-insult patch test, safety-in-use or cumulative irritation test), reviewed by an independent panel of dermatologists and allergists. Only physical (mineral) sunscreens qualify. The NEA itself says a Seal product may still not suit every person, so for a toddler the Seal lowers but does not remove the risk of Allergic Contact Dermatitis.
National Eczema Association [defines] Seal of Acceptance Seal of Acceptance [prevents] Fragrance Allergy Seal of Acceptance [relates] Allergic Contact Dermatitis
On bathing, the NEA recommends a once-daily lukewarm bath or shower, patting dry and moisturising while the skin is damp (Soak and Seal). It describes Bleach Baths two to three times a week as “an effective tool” for reducing inflammation and itch, to be used only after consulting a dermatologist. Its Wet Wrap Therapy page is meant for severe flares. It cites an average 71% symptom reduction in children with severe AD (Nicol 2014) and warns about folliculitis and increased steroid absorption. On Topical Steroid Withdrawal, a 2022 NEA article (updated 2025) calls TSW “a serious potential side effect of topical steroid use that is not readily recognized by patients and providers”. Its 2025 hub page adds that mistaking eczema for TSW can lead to under-treatment. This stance takes TSW reports more seriously than most clinical bodies do.
National Eczema Association [supports] Bleach Baths National Eczema Association [supports] Soak and Seal National Eczema Association [supports] Wet Wrap Therapy National Eczema Association [relates] Topical Steroid Withdrawal
The NEA’s complementary-therapy page (medically reviewed May 2025) is notably permissive. It says research shows traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ayurvedic medicine and meditation “have helped ease certain symptoms of eczema in adults”. It also acknowledges that published data are limited, recommends combining these approaches with prescribed treatment rather than replacing it, and advises using qualified practitioners who work with the child’s doctors. The page does not mention the liver toxicity or undeclared-steroid risks that UK bodies stress. Its evidence is from adults only and does not cover toddlers.
National Eczema Association [relates] Chinese Herbal Medicine National Eczema Association [relates] Herbal and Home Remedies for Eczema
Unregulated "natural" creams
Herbal products, including Chinese herbal creams, have been found to contain undeclared strong topical steroids (Adulterated Herbal Creams). NEA’s complementary-therapy page does not flag this; NICE CG57 and the BAD do.
Conflict: [NEA complementary-treatments page, 2025] says research shows TCM and Ayurveda have helped ease eczema symptoms in adults. [BAD patient leaflet, Aug 2025] says healthcare professionals “do not generally recommend” Chinese herbal treatment because of serious side effects such as liver inflammation, and [NICE CG57, 2007/2025] says herbal medicine has not been adequately assessed in trials. Unresolved: added to open_questions.
Connections
- Topical Steroid Withdrawal — hub page and 2022 article on TSW, source: NEA 2022, 2025
- Seal of Acceptance — runs the product-certification scheme since 2008, source: NEA Seal page
- Bleach Baths — 2–3×/week after consulting a dermatologist, source: NEA bathing page
- Soak and Seal — daily lukewarm bath then moisturise damp skin, source: NEA bathing page
- Wet Wrap Therapy — patient protocol for severe flares, source: NEA wet wrap page 2025
- Chinese Herbal Medicine — presents TCM as helpful complementary option in adults, source: NEA CAM page 2025
- Fragrance Allergy — fragrance allergens on Ecz-clusion List, source: NEA Seal page
- National Eczema Society — UK sister charity, source: NEA / NES
- American Academy of Dermatology — US guideline body NEA draws on, source: AAD