Treatment
Atopic dermatitis
Treating atopic dermatitis involves a combination of self-care measures, topical treatments, and sometimes systemic medications. Key treatment strategies include:
Self-Care Techniques
Moisturizing: Regular use of emollients helps restore the skin barrier and retain moisture. Moisturizers should be applied multiple times a day, especially after bathing.
Avoiding Triggers: Identifying and avoiding personal triggers such as certain soaps, detergents, stress, and allergens can help prevent flare-ups.
Medicated Creams and Ointments
Topical Corticosteroids: These are commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation and itching. They should be used as directed to avoid side effects like skin thinning.
- Calcineurin Inhibitors: Medications like tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) are alternatives to corticosteroids and can be used on sensitive areas like the face and eyelids.
- Crisaborole (Eucrisa): An ointment used to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in patients as young as three months.
Systemic Treatments
For severe cases that do not respond to topical treatments, systemic medications may be prescribed, including:
- Dupilumab (Dupixent): A biologic drug that targets specific pathways involved in the inflammatory process of atopic dermatitis. It is approved for use in patients aged six months and older.
- JAK Inhibitors: Medications like abrocitinib (Cibinqo) and upadacitinib (Rinvoq) work by reducing inflammation and are used in moderate to severe cases.
- Traditional Immunosuppressants: Drugs such as cyclosporine, methotrexate, and azathioprine may be used, although they have significant side effects and are generally not used long-term.
Light Therapy
Phototherapy, using controlled exposure to ultraviolet light, can help reduce inflammation and itching. This treatment is typically administered in a clinical setting and requires multiple sessions per week.
