Reactive and proactive treatment in atopic dermatitis: Long-term disease control

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease. The condition is prevalent worldwide affecting children more than the adult population. AD is associated with a significant adverse impact on a patient’s physical, psychological, and social life. Control of symptoms and disease activity and minimizing the number of flares are the goal of AD treatment. Available treatment options for AD include topical and/or systemic therapy. Despite significant advancements in the systemic treatment landscape including biologics and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, topical therapy remains valuable in the treatment of AD. In this article, we cover the pathophysiology of AD in brief along with the definitions of reactive and proactive approach of treatment. The concept of proactive treatment with topical therapy to control the disease and prevent flares is discussed along with the supporting published evidence.