Antipruritic therapy in atopic eczema

In patients with atopic eczema,the quality of life is seriously affected by tormenting pruritus. As the pathogenesis of pruritus is not understood, sy mptomatic measures are the mainstay of treatment along with avoiding aggrav ating factors. They include emollients, topical and systemic active ingredi ents and physical therapy (e.g. phototherapy) adjusted to the acuity the di sease. Behavioral therapy offers additional support. New treatment modaliti es, partly still in experimental stage, such as immunomodulators, immunosup pressive agents and opiate antagonists are reserved for nonresponding patie nts; they too are reviewed.