Trigger factors - such as temperature changes, dry air, pollen, allergens, skin-irritating ingredients and stress - can trigger or worsen neurodermatitis. In order to positively influence flare-ups, it is important to minimize these environmental factors as much as possible. A symptom diary, for example, can help you identify your personal triggers and specifically avoid them by documenting influences on your symptoms. This way, you can identify problematic foods or unsuitable care products, for example.

Basic care for atopic dermatitis means regular and continuous care of the skin with moisturizing and skin-soothing products. Basic care serves to strengthen the skin barrier and protect the skin from further drying out. Basic care should therefore be carried out at least twice a day, regardless of whether an acute flare-up is currently occurring or not. By the way, basic therapy alone cannot combat the underlying inflammation, but it is crucial for alleviating the symptoms in the short and long term and is therefore an important basis in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Topical therapy involves applying medication directly to the skin, for example in the form of creams, ointments or lotions. This treatment aims to relieve symptoms directly at the affected area of ​​skin.

Medications : Glucocorticosteroids (cortisone preparations or creams or ointments containing cortisone) and calcineurin inhibitors

Side effects : Topical therapies act locally and usually have fewer systemic side effects because they do not enter the entire bloodstream.

Systemic therapy, on the other hand, works throughout the body. Medications are taken orally, injected, or given via an infusion. They enter the bloodstream and act on the entire immune system to reduce inflammation and control symptoms.

Medications : Oral corticosteroids and immunosuppressants

Side effects : Systemic therapies are often used for more severe or widespread forms of neurodermatitis, but can also have more side effects because they affect the whole body. This is why they are usually only administered for a very short period of time. The newer, systemic therapy options that are suitable for long-term use include so-called biologics and JAK inhibitors. The specific mode of action significantly reduces the risk of side effects.