Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Children

Sid Idris F Cureus 16(9): e69416. doi:10.7759/cureus.69416

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis treatment

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also called eczema, is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes itchy lesions and is widespread globally, especially in wealthy countries. It is the most prevalent skin disorder among children. A small percentage of children's eczema persists into adulthood, and a few of them exhibit a severe form of the condition. The development of AD is influenced by immune, environmental, and genetic factors; mutations in the filaggrin gene and a family history of atopy are regarded as risk factors that cause a hyperimmune response, which in turn increases the production of interleukin-13 and interleukin-4. As a result, the skin barrier is compromised, the T-helper 2 immune response is subsequently triggered, and atopic dermatitis develops. Diagnosing and treating AD are mostly dependent on primary care physicians. Nonetheless, treating AD is still challenging, and most pediatricians send even patients with mild eczema to dermatologists for management.

To conduct this review, we posed the central question, 'How to treat atopic dermatitis in children?' utilizing 'atopic dermatitis in children: what is the best treatment?' as the primary keywords. A comprehensive search strategy was employed, incorporating reputable databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Elsevier. The inclusion criteria were set to encompass articles published in the 21st century; however, some cross-references were from the 20th century, focusing exclusively on pediatric populations worldwide. We exclusively considered articles within the realm of pediatrics to ensure relevance to our target audience, pediatricians.

The overarching objective of this review article is to elucidate the challenges encountered by pediatricians in managing even mild cases of AD and to delineate the impact on the daily lives of children and caregivers. Furthermore, this article seeks to explore the spectrum of available treatments, providing valuable insights for primary care providers to enhance the efficacy of AD management in pediatric populations.

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