title: Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Atopic Dermatitis: An Evidence-Based Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complementary and alternative interventions are becoming increasingly utilized as adjuncts to conventional treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). While the number of studies continues to grow, the vastness of the subject coupled with the relatively poor quality and small size of the studies limit their usefulness to clinicians.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to comprehensively review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of complementary and alternative therapies for AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches were performed on PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, and the Global Resource for EczemA Trial (GREAT) databases, focusing on RCTs of alternative or complementary AD therapies, with a sample size of ≥10, through March 2015 and limited to the English language. A total of 70 manuscripts met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is at least some level I evidence to support the use of acupuncture and acupressure, stress-reducing techniques such as hypnosis, massage, and biofeedback, balneotherapy, herbal preparations (with many important caveats), certain botanical oils, oral evening primrose oil, vitamin D supplementation, and topical vitamin B12. Many other therapies either have sufficient data to suggest that they are ineffective, or simply do not have enough evidence to formulate a verdict.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Careful review of the literature reveals several promising therapies in this domain; such findings may help direct further research that is necessary to bolster clinical recommendations for alternative or complementary treatments of AD.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Brittany L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Neil R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lohman
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. p-lio@northwestern.edu.|Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago, 363 W. Erie Street Suite 350, Chicago, IL, 60654, USA. p-lio@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lio
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D001452:Balneology; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients