Intermittent betametazone therapy for atopic dermatitis and eczema of the hand
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin diseases. The disease takes its chronic course, which necessitates long-term maintenance therapy. The effectiveness, safety, and impact of an intermittent regimen for applying topical steroids (Acriderm®) and basic skin care agents were studied in the treatment of patients with continuously relapsing forms of AD (n = 72) and atopic eczema of the hand (n = 32). The regimen allowed a steady-state practically complete drug remission to be achieved. Steroid load was low and resulted in no significant dystrophic changes. The major physiological indicators of the skin (sebaceous excretions, epidermal horny layer hydration, transepidermal water loss, and dermal desquamation) showed an evident tendency for normalization, which suggests a partial recovery of the baseline impaired skin barrier.