Atopic Dermatitis Prevalence and How to Manage It

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder characterized by recurrent eczematous lesions and intense itch. More precisely, the earliest lesion is a small erythematous papule or papulovesicle. These papules may then later become erythematous plaques with clinical features of weeping, crusting, or scaling, depending on the severity of the lesions. The most problematic symptom of AD is itch. The “itch-scratch” cycle involves the act of scratching affected areas of the skin to relieve AD-associated itch, which can further worsen the disease. This skin disorder affects people of all ages and ethnicities, has a substantial psychosocial impact on patients and relatives, and is the leading cause of the global burden of skin disease. Moreover, AD persistence has been reported in 60% of adults who had the disease as children. AD is associated with an increased risk of multiple comorbidities, including food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and mental health disorders. The pathophysiology is complex and involves a strong genetic predisposition, epidermal dysfunction, and T-cell-driven inflammation. There is increasing evidence that AD involves multiple immune pathways. Currently, there is no cure, but increasing numbers of innovative targeted therapies hold promise for achieving disease control. As effective medical treatments for this condition are limited in number, many patients have turned to alternative therapies, including so-called natural products, such as herbs and algae. In this chapter, we summarized and discussed advances in the understanding of the disease and its implications for prevention, management, and future research, with a focus on natural solutions. 

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis, Filaggrin, Genetic, IgE, Microbiota, Natural solutions, Skin barrier, Treatment, Th2.