Today, thanks to advances in scientific research, this chronic inflammatory skin disease – highly debilitating as it causes sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression and a sense of isolation – can be kept under control.
Topical therapies
During the acute phases of the disease, treatment is based on topical anti-inflammatories, such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Topical corticosteroids (or glucocorticoids) are the drugs of choice and are applied directly to the skin in relation to symptoms (itching, inflammation, sleep disturbances), but it is important to use them under medical supervision and only during exacerbations because they may have even serious adverse effects. As the itching subsides, the dose, frequency, or strength of corticosteroid treatment is gradually reduced. Calcineurin inhibitors are also anti-inflammatory drugs, used in the acute phase in second place compared to corticosteroids. They are particularly suitable for the most sensitive areas of the skin such as the face, skin folds and genitals. They can prevent flare-ups when used as a proactive therapy, but those who use them must protect themselves from sunlight.
Systemic and biological therapies
In some cases, the doctor may consider systemic treatment including oral corticosteroids (which can be used for short periods), cyclosporine, azathioprine or methotrexate. Among the most recently introduced drugs is a fully human monoclonal antibody which inhibits interleukins 4 and 13; these are two key proteins in type 2 inflammation that play a fundamental role in atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and eosinophilic esophagitis, interrelated diseases that can also occur simultaneously in the same person . This monoclonal antibody is indicated for the treatment of the most severe forms of the disease in different age groups.