title: A review on the role of moisturizers for atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Effective management of atopic dermatitis (AD) involves the treatment of a defective skin barrier. Patients with AD are therefore advised to use moisturizers regularly. To date, there are few comparative studies involving moisturizers in patients with AD, and no classification system exists to objectively determine which types of moisturizers are best suited to specific AD phenotypes. With this in mind, a group of experts from allergy and immunology, adult and pediatric dermatology, and pediatrics centers within Southeast Asia met to review current data and practice, and to develop recommendations regarding the use of moisturizers in patients with AD within the Asia-Pacific region. Chronicity and severity of AD, along with patient age, treatment compliance, and economic background should all be taken into account when selecting an appropriate moisturizer for AD patients. Other considerations include adjuvant properties of the product, cosmetic acceptability, and availability over the counter. Well-defined clinical phenotypes of AD could optimally benefit from specific moisturizers. It is hoped that future studies may identify such differences by means of filaggrin mutation subtypes, confocal microscopic evaluation, pH, transepidermal water loss or presence of allergy specific IgE. Recommendations to improve the regular use of moisturizers among AD patients include measures that focus on treatment compliance, patient and caregiver education, appropriate treatment goals, avoidance of sensitizing agents, and collaboration with other relevant specialists.
authors.affiliation: National Skin Centre, Singapore 308205, Singapore.
authors.forename: Yoke Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Giam
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Adelaide Ann
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hebert
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, the Philippines.
authors.forename: Maria Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Dizon
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, Singapore 119228, Singapore.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Bever
authors.affiliation: Section of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of the Philippines, Manila, the Philippines.
authors.forename: Marysia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiongco-Recto
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu-Han
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Hardyanto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soebono
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Child Health, Medical Faculty, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Zakiudin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Munasir
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University/Division of Paediatric Dermatology, Hospital Dr. Hasan Sadikin, Bandung, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Inne Arline
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Diana
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: David Chi Kang
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Luk
keywords: Asia Pacific; Classification; Compliance; Dermatitis, atopic; Moisturizer