Treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disease and it has a hypersensitivity or allergic basis. It is considered as the skin expression of the atopic state. Most of the patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are also suffering from asthma as well. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is common during school age.

Avoidance of skin or cutaneous irritants, adequate moisturizing, rational use of topical anti-inflammatory agents and prompt treatment of secondary infections remain the mainstay of treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD).

Commonest skin irritant is the soap. Therefore avoidance or limiting of usage of soap helps to control atopic dermatitis (AD). A patient with atopic dermatitis (AD) should take daily bath with warm, but not hot, water. Following the bath, while skin is moist, patient should apply a cream or an ointment containing an anti-inflammatory (usually a steroid) agent over the affected areas of skin. Approximately 30 g of a topical agent is required to cover the entire body surface of an average adult. Until recently, low- to midpotency topical glucocorticoids was employed in most treatment regimens for AD.

Tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream contain non-glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory agents therefore these creams are good for those who are having side effects of glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory agents such as skin atrophy and wrinkling. Control of pruritus is essential for treatment, since AD often represents “an itch that rashes.” Antihistamines are most often used to control pruritus, and mild sedation may be responsible for their antipruritic action. Sedation may also limit their usefulness.