title: Consensus Guidelines for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Korea (Part I): General Management and Topical Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since the treatment guidelines for atopic dermatitis (AD) were released by the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) work group in 2006, there have been several advances in AD management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to establish updated evidence- and experience-based treatment guidelines for Korean AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected a database of references from relevant systematic AD reviews and guidelines regarding general AD management such as bathing and skin care, avoidance of exacerbating factors, education and psychosocial support, and the use of moisturizers and topical anti-inflammatory and antipruritic drugs. Evidence for each statement was graded and the strength of the recommendation for each statement classified. Thirty-nine KADA council members participated in three rounds of voting to establish an expert consensus of recommendations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Basic AD treatment includes proper bathing and skin care, avoidance of exacerbating factors, proper education and psychosocial support, and use of moisturizers. The regular use of moisturizer has a steroid-sparing effect and reduces relapse episodes. The short- and long-term use of topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors improves AD symptoms and should be encouraged to use in an active and proactive treatment. Wet-wrap therapy can be used for rapid recovery of acute exacerbation. Topical antipruritic drugs cannot be recommended for the treatment of AD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report provides up-to-date evidence- and experience-based treatment guidelines for AD regarding general management and topical treatment. In addition, the average agreement scores obtained by a panel of experts based on the Korean healthcare system and patient adherence are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Bark-Lynn
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Lew
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Dankook University Medical College, Cheonan, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Phil
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kui Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Eung Ho
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, SA Dermatology Clinic, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Beom
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Suhr
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Lip
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yang Won
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chun Wook
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Joo Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Roh
keywords: Administration; Guideline; Therapeutics; topical