Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Children: A Pediatrician State of the Art

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin conditions in children and adolescents. This disease is characterized by acute and chronic lesions. Acute lesions can occur at any age and have a recurring character. Localization of acute lesions is a characteristic for a certain age of the child. Chronic lesions are present after the second year of life and characterized by pruritus and lichenification. Ichthyosis and xerosis are also characteristics of chronic lesions. The authors represent two hypotheses about pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis: “inside-out” hypothesis suggests that pathophysiological process is the result of an inflammatory response, while the “outside-inside” hypothesis suggests that changes of the epidermal barrier are responsible for the process in lesions in atopic dermatitis. There is no gold standard, clinical or laboratory, for the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis. The diagnosis should be based on anamnesis, clinical features and laboratory results. The therapeutic approach includes general and specific measures. General measures including topical moisturizers, bathing and bathing practices and wet-wrap therapy. Specific measures include topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Systemic immunosuppressant agents and phototherapy are a second-line treatment and used when the atopic dermatitis is not controlled. These patients must be treated by a dermatologist or pediatricians.