Therapy of atopic eczema in childhood

Atopic eczma is characterized by 4 principal pathogenetic factors: disturba nce of the epi dermal barrier leading to skin dryness, immune dysregulation inducing chronic inflammation,increased release of pruritogenic mediators, and skin irritability, i.e. an abnormal response towards endogenous and ex ogenous trigger factors. Since atopic eczema is a genetically determined di sorder, ,,cure" is not feasible, but much can be done to alleviate symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. Accordingly, therapy is based o n the external application of emollients ideally adapted to the actual dise ase state,wise use of anti-inflammatory agents, and treatment of chronic pr uritus and bacterial superinfections resulting from excoriations. Identific ation and elimination of trigger factors helps to prevent (or confine) freq uent relapses. Recent studies suggest that primary prevention might be feas ible in the future.