Management and treatment of atopic dermatitis with modern therapies, complementary and alternative medicines: a review

摘要

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common dermatological disease characterized by relapsing pruritus and rash accompanied by cutaneous physiological dysfunction. This disease could affect certain population worldwide, including infants, children and adults. The prevalence of AD has been increased rapidly over the past few decades and the severity of the disease, symptoms, and effects on patients’ quality of life may vary among individuals. AD could be caused or triggered by several factors, such as genotypic, climatic, food allergens and environmental. Many treatments are available to alleviate the symptoms and severity of AD, including topical therapy, immunosuppressant and systemic therapy, phytotherapeutic approach, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as well as complementary and adjunct therapies. Topical therapies involve moisturizers, emollients, topical corticosteroids, topical pimecrolimus and tacrolimus and antipruitic/antihistamine therapy. Whereas, systemic therapies and immunosuppressant prescribed for AD treatment include cyclosporine A, azathioprine and methotrexate. Nowadays, not only the modern medicines are used for treatment of AD but also the phytotherapy using herbs and TCM are commonly incorporated into the therapy. In addition some studies have been showed that complementary/adjunct therapies are effective as preventive approaches for managing AD. In this review some examples of these therapies and approaches will be discussed with relevant supporting literatures.