The practice guideline 'atopic dermatitis'

Since clear evidence is lacking that avoidance of exposure to inhalation or food allergens will have a favourable effect on the course of atopic dermatitis, allergological screening should be restricted to patients having acute allergic symptoms. Topical corticosteroids are the treatment of choice. The working group recommends starting with a class 2-3 corticosteroid daily followed by intermittent maintenance therapy with a corticosteroid of the same class or daily administration of a class 1 corticosteroid. When used in this way, corticosteroids are safe as far as local and systemic side effects are concerned; patients with severe atopic dermatitis have decreased serum-cortisol levels but this is due to the illness and not the corticosteroid. Serum-cortisol levels will usually return to normal following topical steroid therapy. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are a good second-line alternative for patients in whom corticosteroids are insufficiently effective or produce side effects. During such treatment, the skin should be protected against ultraviolet light. Non-sedating antihistamines have no place in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Cyclosporin is the agent of choice for the systemic treatment of severe atopic dermatitis. The attending physician should also pay attention to psychosocial factors, since severe eczema in children, their parents and adults has a serious impact on the quality of life. Patients with severe atopic dermatitis should be discouraged from working in a wet environment. Patients with moderately active atopic dermatitis without eczema of the hands should avoid exposure to water and other irritating factors.