Atopic dermatitis: new observations

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory disease of the skin with special prevalence in childhood. Its fundamental symptom is pruritus with the consequent scratching that may lead to a vicious circle of mechanical-inflammation-pruritus trauma. It has been hypothesized that this disease may be the first stage of an allergic disease and makes up the first step of the so-called "atopic march." In this sense strategies aimed at its prevention are taking on special importance. It is known that this disease has an immunological substrate linked to the activation of Th2 cells in acute phases and Th1 in the chronic ones. Approaches to its primary prevention have been based on the control of the intestinal flora as an early instrument of immunological stimulation. In terms of secondary prevention, existing data show that calcineurin inhibitor immunomodulators, especially Pimecrolimus have promising results.