Pathogenesis and management of atopic dermatitis

In order to consider the management of atopic dermatitis (AD) it is first necessary to examine the relevant background of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the condition. In patients with atopic dermatitis a diverse array of alterations is found relating to inflammatory and immune responses. Some of these can now be explained and together, they begin to indicate some aspects of the fundamental immune dysregulation that characterizes the atopic state. Although antigen-specific mechanisms appear to be actively involved in atopic dermatitis, the certain identification of eausal or relevant provoking Factors is still mostly unreliable and hence "avoidance regimens" are hard to design. The major part of management of alopic dermatitis involves use of agents that suppress or inhibit immune/intlammatory processes. However, alternative approaches are being examined which are aimed at modulating the immune system and deviating it back towards nonatopic response patterns.