Moisturizers: An Essential Component in Eczema Management (Pharmacist Edition)
The role and importance of moisturizer in managing and controlling the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. As atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition, successful management requires a multipronged approach that includes lifestyle modification, adaptations to skin care practices, and medical intervention.
Moisturizers: An Essential Component in Eczema Management
Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is a chronic, relapsing form of skin inflammation that is attributable to multiple pathogenic, genetic, and environmental factors, as well as a dysfunctional epidermal barrier. Immune responses involved in AD culminate in dry skin, pruritus, and IgE mediated sensitization to food and environmental allergens.
Non-Pharmacologic Management of Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is a chronic, relapsing skin condition that can lead to xerosis, pruritus, and patches of dermatitis. Coping with the physical and emotional aspects of AD can significantly impact the quality of life. It is most common in childhood, as many patients seem to outgrow the condition by adulthood.
New and Existing Therapeutic Options for Hand Eczema
Hand eczema affects up to 10% of the population and encompasses a diverse range of morphological presentations and underlying pathophysiological processes. This article will review the new and existing treatments that are available for this common dermatologic problem.
Objectives of Eczema Therapy
Eczema is a chronic condition, and a very common one so long-term symptom controls are critical. This article focuses on the major objectives of eczema treatment.
Topical Corticosteroids
Topical corticosteroids have been a mainstay of eczema therapy. This article is a comprehensive list of various indications, contraindications, combination therapies, and differing strengths of steroids.
Other Topical Treatments For Eczema
Topical treatments remain the mainstay of eczema treatment. This article delves into the topical treatments other than topical corticosteroids: Tar, antibiotics, and anti-itch creams.
Topical Prescription Treatment
A treatment chart for eczema. Anti-inflammatory drugs, moisturizers, tar preparations, mild cleansers, antibiotics, and anti-itch creams.
Topical Immunomodulators
This article discusses the role of topical immunomodulators in the treatment of eczema. Pimecrolimus 1% Cream (Elidel®) and Tacrolimus (Protopic®) are discussed at length.
Topical Corticosteroid Dosing, Mechanisms of Action, & Prescribing
Topical corticosteroid dosing, mechanism of action and prescribing advice is provided in this article. General rules, prescribing suggestions, precautions, and side-effects are discussed.
Eczema Oral Treatment
Oral treatments for treating eczema: Antibiotics, antihistamines, corticosteroids and cyclosporine A are the focus of this article.
Eczema Light Therapy
Phototherapy, Narrow Band UVB, and PUVA are an important branch of treatment for some people with eczema. This article discusses some of the options available in terms of light therapy.
Eczema Treatment Selection Chart
Infection, inflammation, itch, and dry skin are the core symptoms of eczema. Various treatments targeting these symptoms both on the topical and oral side are discussed in this article.
Treatment Triangle
This article discusses the concept of the treatment triangle: Evidence based treatment, treatment based on evidence and clinical experience, and patient preference, and how these concepts intersect.
Treatment of Eczema Complications
Eczema creates several complications such as bacterial and viral infections due to exposed skin - from cracking. This article delves into these complications that can arise out of eczema and how to treat them.
FDA Issues Public Warning Re Elidel and Protopic
A summary on the FDA warning on Elidel and Protopic. Commentary from organizations like the American Academy of Dermatology, Canadian Dermatology Association, National Eczema Association for Science and Education and Inflammatory Skin Disease Institute are also linked here.
Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors—Efficacy and Safety in Atopic Dermatitis
TCIs have an important place in the therapeutic armamentarium for AD. They are approved as second line agents for individuals >2 years of age, and have a good safety profile when used short-term or intermittently long-term.
Seborrheic Dermatitis: New Formulations for Treatment
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common cutaneous disorder occurring in at least 3%–5% of the population. We discuss new treatment formulations and protocols.
Management of Eczema
The prevalence of eczema is increasing over the past 30 years, and is estimated to affect 20% of children in North America and Northern Europe. This article discusses eczema, incidence, clinical presentations, and management, as well as specific primary and second line therapies.
Practical Management Strategies for Diaper Dermatitis
Common diaper dermatitis is an irritant contact diaper dermatitis (IDD) created by the combined influence of moisture, warmth, urine, feces, friction, and secondary infection. This article will focus on practical management strategies for IDD.
Pimecrolimus 1% Cream for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a highly pruritic inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by onset in infancy or childhood and a chronically relapsing course. Mainstay treatments are emollients and topical corticosteroids, but the latter are limited by side-effects from longterm use.
Atopic Eczema
Eczema diagnosis, treatments, and management techniques are discussed. Diagnostic features, treatments both topical and oral, infection control, and a note on calcineurin inhibitors.
Moisturizers: What They Are and a Practical Approach to Product Selection
Moisturizers are widely used products that are important in many dermatologic and cosmetic skin therapies. They contain varying combinations of emollients, occlusives, and humectants to achieve their beneficial effects, and there is an overwhelming number of formulations available.
A Review of Prednicarbate (Dermatop®)
Prednicarbate is a nonhalogenated corticosteroid that is used in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, for example atopic dermatitis. It has a favorable benefit-risk ratio, with an inflammatory action similar to that of a medium potency corticosteroid, but with a low potential to cause skin atrophy.
Tacrolimus Ointment (Protopic®) for Atopic Dermatitis
Tacrolimus ointment (Protopic®, Fujisawa) is an effective agent in a class of topical immunomodulators. It has been shown to be safe and effective in adults and children with Atopic Dermatitis in short- and long-term treatments.
Ciclopirox Shampoo for Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease, affecting between 1% and 3% of immunocompetent adults. While its cause is unknown, a number of predisposing factors have been reported, including the implications of Malassezia yeasts.
The Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis and Other Dermatoses with Leukotriene Antagonists
The exact mechanism of action of leukotriene receptor antagonists in Atopic Dermatitis is not known. In small clinical and case studies, montelukast was found to be a safe and effective alternative or steroid-sparing therapy in the management of patients with atopic dermatitis.
Treatment of Hand Eczema
Hand eczema is a common skin disease that tends to become chronic and may interfere with many types of work. Emollients have been shown to be useful in reducing eczema activity and in the primary prevention of hand eczema.
Itraconazole (Sporanox®) for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common superficial dermatosis, characterized by red, flaking areas of the skin, which may in some cases be covered with yellowish flakes. The most commonly affected areas are the nasolabial folds, ears, eyebrows, scalp and chest.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Children: A Practical Approach to Management
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) may account for at least 20% of all childhood dermatitis. Clinically, its morphology is identical to other forms of dermatitis in acute, subacute and chronic forms. A persistent or unusual and localized pattern is often the key to diagnosis.
The Utility of Patch Testing Children with Atopic Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is more frequent in the pediatric population and in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) than has hitherto been appreciated. Patch testing, which is mediated by different immune mechanisms than prick skin testing, is both safe and diagnostically useful for individuals with AD.
Pimecrolimus 1% Cream (Elidel®) For Atopic Dermatitis
Pimecrolimus is an immunomodulating medication that inhibits production of inflammatory cytokines in the skin and this compound was specifically developed for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.
Alternative Treatments For Atopic Dermatitis: A Selected Review
Herbal remedies are largely unregulated, but often talked about among patients. Many may have scientific merit and clinical benefit, but they are still scientifically invalid and inadequately monitored. Dermatologists need information about herbal remedies to better serve their Atopic Dermatitis patients.
Moisturizers: What They Are And How They Work
Moisturizers are widely used in various dermatologic and cosmetic skin therapies. Different classes of moisturizers are based on their mechanism of action, including occlusives, humectants, emollients and protein rejuvenators.
Treatment of Toxicodendron Dermatitis (Poison Ivy And Poison Oak)
Toxicodendron dermatitis results from a reaction to an oil soluble oleoresin that is present in many parts of the poison ivy and poison oak plants. Prophylactic measures and treatments are discussed.