Topical Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis in Adults

Daily moisturizing and as-needed use of mild-to-moderate topical corticosteroids still is the safest and most-affordable care plan for patients with AD.

Sponsoring Organization: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD), or eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that typically starts in childhood but affects as many as 7% of adults. Xerosis and pruritus are the hallmarks of AD, and the goals of treatment are to reduce itching and resultant skin damage and restore a functional skin barrier. These updated AAD guidelines provide recommendations for using topical therapies to manage AD in adults.

Key Points

The applicability of each of these recommendations to any given patient obviously will depend on the severity, extent, and distribution of that patient's AD.

Moisturizing is strongly recommended. Bathing followed immediately by moisturizing (with no method …

Reviewing Author

David J. Amrol, MD

Disclosures

Speaker’s BureauAstraZeneca; Incyte