Title:Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis: Current Status and Future Prospects
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Author(s): Kusha Sharma, Bharti Sapra and Neena Bedi*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005,India
Keywords:
Atopic dermatitis, treatment approaches, novel drug delivery, topical treatment, immunosuppressants,
natural therapy.
Abstract: Background: Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic disease with a genetic
background known as atopic syndrome characterised by pruritus and cutaneous inflammation.
This review provides conventional and modified approaches for the treatment of atopic
dermatitis treatment.
Objective: The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the current and upcoming
therapies along with novel approaches to improve the drug delivery for the treatment of
atopic dermatitis.
Methods: Common treatments of atopic dermatitis include application of topical corticosteroids,
calcineurin inhibitors along with emollients and cutaneous antiseptics. However,
severe forms of the disease are resistant to these approaches and need systemic treatments
including immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine, systematic glucocorticosteroids and
antihistaminic drugs.
Results: Phototherapy including UV-B, psoralen plus ultraviolet therapy can also be used as
adjuvant therapy in treatment of chronic AD. However, all these therapies have a number of
side effects and potential problems, such as limited efficacy, inconvenience, organ toxicity,
carcinogenic and broadband immunosuppression. The natural therapy including herbs and
natural oils is also being utilized since many years for treatment of dermatitis, although
more in vivo, dose and efficacy data needs to be established. Currently biological agents are
being studied widely as novel therapeutic options for dermatitis treatment which can lead to
less toxic and more targeted approach for the treatment of disease.
Conclusion: The present review describes recent advancements and delivery approaches for
safe and effective treatment of atopic dermatitis.
