title: ETFAD/EADV Eczema task force 2015 position paper on diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in adult and paediatric patients.
abstract: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a clinically defined, highly pruritic, chronic inflammatory skin disease of children and adults. The diagnosis is made using evaluated clinical criteria. Disease activity is best measured with a composite score assessing both objective signs and subjective symptoms, such as SCORAD. The management of AD must consider the clinical and pathogenic variabilities of the disease and also target flare prevention. Basic therapy includes hydrating topical treatment, as well as avoidance of specific and unspecific provocation factors. Anti-inflammatory treatment of visible skin lesions is based on topical glucocorticosteroids and the topical calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are preferred in sensitive locations. Tacrolimus and mid-potent steroids are proven for proactive therapy, which is long-term intermittent anti-inflammatory therapy of the frequently relapsing skin areas. Systemic anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive treatment is indicated for severe refractory cases. Biologicals targeting key mechanisms of the atopic immune response are promising emerging treatment options. Microbial colonization and superinfection may induce disease exacerbation and can justify additional antimicrobial treatment. Systemic antihistamines (H1R-blockers) may diminish pruritus, but do not have sufficient effect on lesions. Adjuvant therapy includes UV irradiation, preferably UVA1 or narrow-band UVB 311 nm. Dietary recommendations should be patient specific and elimination diets should only be advised in case of proven food allergy. Allergen-specific immunotherapy to aeroallergens may be useful in selected cases. Psychosomatic counselling is recommended to address stress-induced exacerbations. 'Eczema school' educational programmes have been proven to be helpful for children and adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wollenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology (Pediatric Dermatology and Hair), Dermicis Skin clinic, Alkmaar and Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oranje
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deleuran
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Heim Pal Childrens Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szalai
authors.affiliation: Dermatologikum, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kunz
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital UMAS, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Nantes, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barbarot
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital UMAS, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: von Kobyletzki
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie et Dermatologie Pédiatrique, Centre de référence pour les maladies rares de la peau, INSERM 1035, Université de Bordeaux, Talence, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taieb
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Bruin-Weller
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hautklinik Linden, MHH, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Werfel
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trzeciak
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vestergard
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.|Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-CARE), Davos, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ring
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.|ZAUM - Center of Allergy & Environment, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Darsow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans