title: What is new in atopic dermatitis/eczema?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin condition and one of the most common, potentially debilitating diseases with increasing incidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  The complex etiology of AE with multiple systemic and local immunologic and inflammatory responses and interactions between susceptibility genes and environmental factors leading to defects in skin barrier function and eczematous skin lesions is presented. Knowledge of pathogenesis is important for understanding the more innovative treatment approaches discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Basic therapy consists of hydrating topical treatment and avoidance of specific and unspecific provocation factors. For acute eczematous skin lesions, anti-inflammatory treatment consists mainly of topical glucocorticoids and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Microbial colonization and superinfection may induce skin exacerbation, which can be treated by either topical or systemic antimicrobial treatment. Systemic anti-inflammatory therapy is limited to severe cases and consists of systemic steroids, cyclosporine A or mycophenolate mofetil. Novel anti-inflammatory concepts that go beyond corticosteroids are in the early phases of development. There are targeted therapeutic approaches, such as cytokine and chemokine modulators, and it remains to be investigated how effective they will be and what side effects they may carry. Existing treatment modalities such as barrier repair therapy, topical immunosuppressive agents, antiseptic treatment as well as systemic treatment options are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Munich-Harlaching, Grünwalderstraße 248, 81545 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabine G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Plötz
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiesender
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todorova
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ring
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015195:Drug Design; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: anti-inflammatory treatment; atopic eczema; biologicals; calcineurin inhibitors glucocorticosteroids; systemic therapy; topical therapy