The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) emphasizes prevention and long-term management when it comes to adult and pediatric atopic dermatitis, according to its new guidelines, part of a four-part series published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology throughout 2014.
The AAD recommends a proactive approach to preventing flares: regular use of moisturizers, and scheduled use of topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors to affected areas, even in the absence of symptoms. The evidence-based guidelines also stress the importance of patient and caregiver education, noting that establishing a link between allergens and the disease can be challenging, as there is rarely just one allergy causing the condition. The guidelines warn that many alternative approaches, such as dietary restrictions or Eastern herbal therapies, have not yet been proven to be successful.
“These guidelines work together to offer guidance and provide the latest research to assist dermatologists and their patients in developing an effective treatment plan that addresses the long-term management of atopic dermatitis and improves the patient’s quality of life,” said Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, FAAD, one of the authors of the guidelines.
