Emollient therapy in atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema) has shown a marked increase in the last decade, affecting 10-15% of children. The clinical presentation is that of an itchy, dermatitic, dry skin which results from immunological dysfunction and includes changes in the noninvolved skin. These alterations include increased itchiness, morphological change, low sebum production, disturbance in water exchange correlated with impaired barrier function, loss of vascular regulation, and secondary staphylococcal colonization. The management of the disease includes both general and topical measures: moisturizers or emollients, antibacterial treatment and cortico-teroids. Humectants are widely used in emollients to increase or maintain the water content in the stratum corneum. The efficacy of emollients may be assessed by clinical and noninvasive methods which determine their effect on skin hydration or barrier function. It is clear that emollients have an important role in improving skin dryness, particularly in atopic dermatitis, often reducing the need for topical corticosteroids. In conclusion, emollients should be used prophylactically, as well as therapeutically, provided they are cosmetically acceptable to the patient and are used frequently.