Asia Pac Allergy.  2016 Apr;6(2):120-128. 10.5415/apallergy.2016.6.2.120.

A review on the role of moisturizers for atopic dermatitis

• Giam YC
• Hebert AA
• Dizon MV
• Van Bever
• Tiongco-Recto M
• Kim KH
• Soebono H
• Munasir Z
• Diana IA
• Luk DC

• KMID: 2396981
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2016.6.2.120

Abstract

Effective management of atopic dermatitis (AD) involves the treatment of a defective skin barrier. Patients with AD are therefore advised to use moisturizers regularly. To date, there are few comparative studies involving moisturizers in patients with AD, and no classification system exists to objectively determine which types of moisturizers are best suited to specific AD phenotypes. With this in mind, a group of experts from allergy and immunology, adult and pediatric dermatology, and pediatrics centers within Southeast Asia met to review current data and practice, and to develop recommendations regarding the use of moisturizers in patients with AD within the Asia-Pacific region. Chronicity and severity of AD, along with patient age, treatment compliance, and economic background should all be taken into account when selecting an appropriate moisturizer for AD patients. Other considerations include adjuvant properties of the product, cosmetic acceptability, and availability over the counter. Well-defined clinical phenotypes of AD could optimally benefit from specific moisturizers. It is hoped that future studies may identify such differences by means of filaggrin mutation subtypes, confocal microscopic evaluation, pH, transepidermal water loss or presence of allergy specific IgE. Recommendations to improve the regular use of moisturizers among AD patients include measures that focus on treatment compliance, patient and caregiver education, appropriate treatment goals, avoidance of sensitizing agents, and collaboration with other relevant specialists.

Keyword

Dermatitis, atopic; Compliance; Asia Pacific; Moisturizer; Classification

MeSH Terms

Adult
Allergy and Immunology
Asia, Southeastern
Caregivers
Classification
Compliance
Cooperative Behavior
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Dermatology
Education
Hope
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Patient Compliance
Pediatrics
Phenotype
Skin
Specialization
Water
Immunoglobulin E
Water

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Skin barrier dysfunction in patients with atopic dermatitis. TSLP, thymic stromal lymphopoietin; Th2, T helper 2 cells; PAR-2, proteaseactivated receptor 2. Reprinted from Kabashima K. J Dermatol Sci 2013;70:3-11, with permission from Elsevier [2].

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