Modern approaches to external therapy of sensitive skin area in atopic dermatitis in children: focus on topical calcineurin inhibitors

Abstract

Due to high prevalence in the pediatric population, chronic recurrent course and difficulties in choosing the local therapy, atopic dermatitis is an urgent problem for pediatricians, dermatologists and allergists. The review presents data on the prevalence and features of the clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis in various age periods. The authors consider structural, functional and immunological features of the skin barrier are considered in detail under normal and under pathological conditions. They emphasize the problems of quality of life, compliance and steroidophobia of patients with atopic dermatitis. Particular attention is paid to the concept of sensitive skin, the definition of this concept and the localization of sensitive skin area on the surface of the body. The article describes approaches to the method of choosing external therapy according to the European guidelines for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in 2018. It presents a modern practical algorithm for prescribing local anti-inflammatory drugs (topical glucocorticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors) taking into account the severity of the clinical manifestations of the disease and the areas of application (sensitive skin areas/other parts of the body). The authors provide evidence of the efficacy and safety of topical calcineurin inhibitors, in particular pimecrolimus, in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate severity of atopic dermatitis, especially in sensitive skin areas.