Atopic Dermatitis Treatment
Lifestyle changes:
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Stress relief/relaxation measures: yoga, stretching, massage, deep breathing
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Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
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Avoid fragrances and preservatives in personal care products
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Limiting fabric softener use
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Using a non-soap hypo-allergenic cleanser, like:
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Dove® Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar
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CeraVe™ Hydrating Cleanser
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Cetaphil® Gentle Cleansing Bar
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Showering using your hands instead of a washcloth, sponge, or loofah
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Avoid bubble baths
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Pat skin dry (no rubbing)
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Moisturize immediately after bathing/showering to seal in moisture
TOPICAL THERAPIES:
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Topical corticosteroids may be used to relieve skin inflammation and itching for short term use only (two weeks)
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Elidel/pimecrolimus or Protopic/tacrolimus (Non-steroid immunosuppressant)
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Eucrisa (PhosphoDiEsterase or PDE inhibitor which decreases inflammation)
TOPICAL THERAPIES:
-
Topical corticosteroids may be used to relieve skin inflammation and itching for short term use only (two weeks)
-
Elidel/pimecrolimus or Protopic/tacrolimus (Non-steroid immunosuppressant)
-
Eucrisa (PhosphoDiEsterase or PDE inhibitor which decreases inflammation)
ORAL THERAPIES:
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Antihistamines (Benadryl or hydroxyzine)
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Oral steroids/prednisone
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Oral antibiotics
ABOUT ALLERGY TESTING
Many patients with a diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis are allergic to chemicals such as fragrances, preservatives, and dyes. We offer skin allergy testing (Patch testing) to determine if an allergy is the cause of your symptoms. Note that this is a different type of testing from scratch testing done by an allergist (which checks for respiratory and/or food allergies)
