Atopic Dermatitis: Early Treatment in Children

Opinion Statement

Therapeutic regimens for the treatment and long-term management of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) have a twofold objective of decreasing skin inflammation and repairing the defective skin barrier. Essential treatments for AD in children should include topical moisturizers for skin hydration and prevention of flares, topical anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, PDE4 inhibitor), allergen/irritant avoidance, and treatment of skin infections. Treatment regimens should be severity-based and implemented in a stepwise approach tailored to the individual patient. This stepwise approach includes initial use of emollients, gentle skin care, and escalating to more potent anti-inflammatory treatments as the disease severity increases. Currently available systemic medications should be reserved for the presence of recalcitrance to topical therapies due to associated toxicities.

We believe that early treatment of AD is not only essential in treating the skin disease but also in preventing the development of additional atopic diseases, such as food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The defective skin barrier of AD permits a route of entry for food and environmental allergens, and upon exposure, keratinocytes secrete thymic stromal lymphopoietin, which activates Type 2 immune responses. This Type 2 immune response initiates the atopic march and the subsequent diseases that are seen. This review highlights treatment options and strategies in pediatric AD therapy with an emphasis on early therapy. Supporting evidence on the efficacy and safety of each intervention will be discussed.

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