Skip to main content

Management and treatment of atopic dermatitis with modern therapies, complementary and alternative medicines: a review

Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine volume 18, pages 67–76 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common dermatological disease characterized by relapsing pruritus and rash accompanied by cutaneous physiological dysfunction. This disease could affect certain population worldwide, including infants, children and adults. The prevalence of AD has been increased rapidly over the past few decades and the severity of the disease, symptoms, and effects on patients’ quality of life may vary among individuals. AD could be caused or triggered by several factors, such as genotypic, climatic, food allergens and environmental. Many treatments are available to alleviate the symptoms and severity of AD, including topical therapy, immunosuppressant and systemic therapy, phytotherapeutic approach, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as well as complementary and adjunct therapies. Topical therapies involve moisturizers, emollients, topical corticosteroids, topical pimecrolimus and tacrolimus and antipruitic/antihistamine therapy. Whereas, systemic therapies and immunosuppressant prescribed for AD treatment include cyclosporine A, azathioprine and methotrexate. Nowadays, not only the modern medicines are used for treatment of AD but also the phytotherapy using herbs and TCM are commonly incorporated into the therapy. In addition some studies have been showed that complementary/adjunct therapies are effective as preventive approaches for managing AD. In this review some examples of these therapies and approaches will be discussed with relevant supporting literatures.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Abbreviations

AD:

Atopic dermatitis

AZA:

Azathioprine

BBUVB:

Broadband ultraviolet light B

CsA:

Cyclosporine A

DLQI:

Dermatology Life Quality Index

EASI:

Eczema Area and Severity Index

EPP:

Ethyl phenylpropiolate

FLG:

filaggrin

IFN-γ:

Interferon gamma

IGA:

Investigator’s Global Assessment

IgE:

Immunoglobulin E

IL-1:

Interleukin-1

IL-10:

Interleukin-10

IL-13:

Interleukin-13

IL-4:

Interleukin-4

IL-4:

Interleukin-4

IL-5:

Interleukin-5

IL-6:

Interleukin-6

IL-8:

Interleukin-8

MTX:

Methotrexate

NO2 :

Nitrogen dioxide

PHF:

PentaHerb formula

PUFA:

Polyunsaturared fatty acids

SCORAD:

Severity scoring of atopic dermatitis

TARC:

Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine

TCM:

Traditional Chinese medicines

TEWL:

Transdermal water loss

Th-1:

T-helper-1

Th-2:

T-helper-2

Th22:

T-helper 22

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

TSLP:

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin

UV:

Ultra-violet

UVA:

Ultraviolet A

UVB:

Ultraviolet B

VAS:

Visual analogue scale

VCO:

Virgin coconut oil

References

  • Ahn K (2014) The role of air pollutants in atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 134:993–999

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akdis CA et al (2006) Diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults: European academy of Allergology and clinical immunology/American academy of allergy, asthma and immunology/PRACTALL consensus report. Allergy 61:969–987

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arellano FM, Wentworth CE, Arana A, Fernández C, Paul CF (2007) Risk of lymphoma following exposure to calcineurin inhibitors and topical steroids in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Investig Dermatol 127:808–816

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong N, Ernst E (1999) The treatment of eczema with Chinese herbs: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Br J Clin Pharmacol 48:262

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bass IIIPF (2014) Alternative medicine for atopic dermatitis: many patients with AD are turning to nontraditional treatments not backed by science. Contemp Pediatr 31:30–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Berth-Jones J et al (2002) Azathioprine in severe adult atopic dermatitis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Br J Dermatol 147:324–330

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bogaczewicz J, Malinowska K, Sysa-Jedrzejowska A, Wozniacka A (2015) Medium-dose ultraviolet A1 phototherapy and mRNA expression of TSLP, TARC, IL-5, and IL-13 in acute skin lesions in atopic dermatitis. Int J Dermatol 55:856–863.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bogaczewicz J, Malinowska K, Sysa-Jedrzejowska A, Wozniacka A (2016) Medium-dose ultraviolet A1 phototherapy improves SCORAD index and increases mRNA expression of interleukin-4 without direct effect on human β defensin-1, interleukin-10, and interleukin-31. Int J Dermatol 55(7). https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.13213.

  • Boguniewicz M, Leung DY (2011) Atopic dermatitis: a disease of altered skin barrier and immune dysregulation. Immunol Rev 242:233–246

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boguniewicz M et al (2007) A multiple-domain framework of clinical, economic, and patient-reported outcomes for evaluating benefits of intervention in atopic dermatitis. J Drugs Dermatol: JDD 6:416–423

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown DJ, Dattner AM (1998) Phytotherapeutic approaches to common dermatologic conditions. Arch Dermatol 134:1401–1404

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Casetti F, Bartelke S, Biehler K, Augustin M, Schempp C, Frank U (2012) Antimicrobial activity against bacteria with dermatological relevance and skin tolerance of the essential oil from Coriandrum sativum L. fruits. Phytother Res 26:420–424

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chan Y et al (2006) A study on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Southeast Asian dermatologists in the management of atopic dermatitis. Ann Acad Med Singap 35:794

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chan BCL, Hon KLE, Leung PC, Sam SW, Fung KP, Lee MYH, Lau HYA (2008) Traditional Chinese medicine for atopic eczema: PentaHerbs formula suppresses inflammatory mediators release from mast cells. J Ethnopharmacol 120:85–91

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charman C, Morris A, Williams H (2000) Topical corticosteroid phobia in patients with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 142:931–936

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen H-Y et al (2015) Use of traditional Chinese medicine reduces exposure to corticosteroid among atopic dermatitis children: a 1-year follow-up cohort study. J Ethnopharmacol 159:189–196

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng H-M, Chiang L-C, Jan Y-M, Chen G-W, Li T-C (2011) The efficacy and safety of a Chinese herbal product (Xiao-Feng-San) for the treatment of refractory atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 155:141–148

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cookson WO et al (2001) Genetic linkage of childhood atopic dermatitis to psoriasis susceptibility loci. Nat Genet 27:372

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coondoo A, Phiske M, Verma S, Lahiri K (2014) Side-effects of topical steroids: a long overdue revisit. Indian Dermatology Online Journal 5:416

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • DaVeiga SP (2012) Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis: a review. Allergy Asthma Proc 33:227–234. https://doi.org/10.2500/aap.2012.33.3569

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deckers IA, McLean S, Linssen S, Mommers M, Van Schayck C, Sheikh A (2012) Investigating international time trends in the incidence and prevalence of atopic eczema 1990–2010: a systematic review of epidemiological studies. PLoS One 7:e39803

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L (2014) The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. Int J Dermatol 53:100–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.12339

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Guarino M, Aboin-Gonzalez S, Barchino L, Velazquez D, Arsuaga C, Lázaro P (2016) Treatment of moderate and severe adult chronic atopic dermatitis with narrow-band UVB and the combination of narrow-band UVB/UVA phototherapy. Dermatol Ther 29:19–23

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Finberg MJ, Muntingh GL, Van Rensburg CE (2015) A comparison of the leaf gel extracts of Aloe ferox and Aloe vera in the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis in Balb/c mice. Inflammopharmacology 23:337–341

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flohr C, Mann J (2014) New insights into the epidemiology of childhood atopic dermatitis. Allergy 69:3–16

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foolad N, Armstrong A (2014) Prebiotics and probiotics: the prevention and reduction in severity of atopic dermatitis in children. Benefic Microbes 5:151–160

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foolad N, Brezinski EA, Chase EP, Armstrong AW (2013) Effect of nutrient supplementation on atopic dermatitis in children: a systematic review of probiotics, prebiotics, formula, and fatty acids. JAMA Dermatol 149:350–355

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gensollen T, Iyer SS, Kasper DL, Blumberg RS (2016) How colonization by microbiota in early life shapes the immune system. Science 352:539–544

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gu S, Yang AW, Xue CC, Li CG, Pang C, Zhang W, Williams HC (2013) Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 9. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008642.pub2

  • Gu SX, Zhang AL, Coyle ME, Chen D, Xue CC (2017) Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema: an overview of clinical evidence. J Dermatol Treat 28(3):246–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ho J, Ong PH (2015) Traditional Chinese medicine in dermatology. In: Pediatric Skin of Color Springer, 427–437

  • Intahphuak S, Khonsung P, Panthong A (2010) Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil. Pharm Biol 48:151–157

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Irvine AD (2007) Fleshing out filaggrin phenotypes. J Investig Dermatol 127:504–507

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamer B, Pasowska R, Dółka E, Blomberg A, Rotsztejn H (2013) Prevalence of atopic dermatitis in infants during the first six months of life: authors’ observations. Postep Derm Alergol 30:277–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapp A et al (2002) Long-term management of atopic dermatitis in infants with topical pimecrolimus, a nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug. J Allergy Clin Immunol 110:277–284

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khattri S et al (2014) Cyclosporine in patients with atopic dermatitis modulates activated inflammatory pathways and reverses epidermal pathology. J Allergy Clin Immunol 133:1626–1634

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim J, seok Lee I, Park S, Choue R (2010) Effects of Scutellariae radix and Aloe vera gel extracts on immunoglobulin E and cytokine levels in atopic dermatitis NC/Nga mice. J Ethnopharmacol 132:529–532

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim S-O, Ah Y-M, Yu YM, Choi KH, Shin W-G, Lee J-Y (2014) Effects of probiotics for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 113:217–226

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larsen FS, Holm NV, Henningsen K (1986) Atopic dermatitis: a genetic-epidemiologic study in a population-based twin sample. J Am Acad Dermatol 15:487–494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee J, Seto D, Bielory L (2008) Meta-analysis of clinical trials of probiotics for prevention and treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 121:116–121. e111

  • Lee S-H, Heo Y, Kim Y-C (2010) Effect of German chamomile oil application on alleviating atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice. J Vet Sci 11:35–41

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lee KC, Keyes A, Hensley JR, Gordon JR, Kwasny MJ, West DP, Lio PA (2011) Effectiveness of acupressure on pruritus and lichenification associated with atopic dermatitis: a pilot trial. Acupunct Med 30(1):8–11

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leslie TA, Greaves MW, Yosipovitch G (2015) Current topical and systemic therapies for itch. Pharmacology of Itch Springer 337–356

  • Leung DY, Boguniewicz M, Howell MD, Nomura I, Hamid QA (2004) New insights into atopic dermatitis. J Clin Invest 113:651–657

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis-Jones M (2006) A comparative study of impairment of quality of life in children with skin disease and children with other chronic childhood diseases. Br J Dermatol 155:145–151

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lin J-F et al (2014) Characteristics and prescription patterns of traditional Chinese medicine in atopic dermatitis patients: ten-year experiences at a medical center in Taiwan. Complement Ther Med 22:141–147

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luger T et al (2004) Long-term safety and tolerability of pimecrolimus cream 1% and topical corticosteroids in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. J Dermatol Treat 15:169–178

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyakhovitsky A et al (2010) Low-dose methotrexate treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 24:43–49

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mancini AJ, Kaulback K, Chamlin SL (2008) The socioeconomic impact of atopic dermatitis in the United States: a systematic review. Pediatr Dermatol 25:1–6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meggitt SJ, Gray JC, Reynolds NJ (2006) Azathioprine dosed by thiopurine methyltransferase activity for moderate-to-severe atopic eczema: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet 367:839–846

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgenstern V et al (2008) Atopic diseases, allergic sensitization, and exposure to traffic-related air pollution in children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 177:1331–1337

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Naafs B (2006) Allergic skin reactions in the tropics. Clin Dermatol 24:158–167

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Niccoli AA et al (2014) Preliminary results on clinical effects of probiotic lactobacillus salivarius LS01 in children affected by atopic dermatitis. J Clin Gastroenterol 48:S34–S36

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nomura T et al (2007) Unique mutations in the filaggrin gene in Japanese patients with ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 119:434–440

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nomura T et al (2008) Specific filaggrin mutations cause ichthyosis vulgaris and are significantly associated with atopic dermatitis in Japan. J Investig Dermatol 128:1436–1441

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Odhiambo JA, Williams HC, Clayton TO, Robertson CF, Asher MI, Group IPTS (2009) Global variations in prevalence of eczema symptoms in children from ISAAC phase three. J Allergy Clin Immunol 124:1251-1258. e1223

  • Ormerod A (2005) Topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus and the risk of cancer: how much cause for concern? Br J Dermatol 153:701–705

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer CN et al (2006) Common loss-of-function variants of the epidermal barrier protein filaggrin are a major predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis. Nat Genet 38:441–446

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer D, Sullivan T, Gold M, Prescott S, Heddle R, Gibson R, Makrides M (2012) Effect of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in pregnancy on infants’ allergies in first year of life: randomised controlled trial. BMJ 344:e184

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panahi Y et al. (2012) A randomized comparative trial on the therapeutic efficacy of topical aloe vera and Calendula officinalis on diaper dermatitis in children. Sci World J. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/810234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panduru M, Panduru N, Sălăvăstru C, Tiplica GS (2015) Probiotics and primary prevention of atopic dermatitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 29:232–242

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park G, Kim HG, Lim S, Lee W, Sim Y, Oh MS (2014) Coriander alleviates 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced contact dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice. J Med Food 17:862–868

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pelucchi C, Chatenoud L, Turati F, Galeone C, Moja L, Bach J-F, La Vecchia C (2012) Probiotics supplementation during pregnancy or infancy for the prevention of atopic dermatitis: a meta-analysis. Epidemiology 23:402–414

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pfab F et al (2012) Acupuncture compared with oral antihistamine for type I hypersensitivity itch and skin response in adults with atopic dermatitis–a patient-and examiner-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Allergy 67:566–573

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quah B, WAN-PAUZI I, Ariffin N, Mazidah A (2005) Prevalence of asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis: two surveys, 6 years apart, in Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Respirology 10:244–249

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajeshwari U, Andallu B (2011) Medicinal benefits of coriander (Coriandrum Sativum L). Spatula DD 1:51–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reuter J, Huyke C, Casetti F, Theek C, Frank U, Augustin M, Schempp C (2008) Anti-inflammatory potential of a lipolotion containing coriander oil in the ultraviolet erythema test. JDDG. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 6:847–851

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rø ADB, Simpson MR, Rø TB, Storrø O, Johnsen R, Videm V, Øien T (2017) Reduced Th22 cell proportion and prevention of atopic dermatitis in infants following maternal probiotic supplementation. Clin Exp Allergy 47(8):1014–1021.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodenbeck DL, Silverberg JI, Silverberg NB (2016) Phototherapy for atopic dermatitis. Clin Dermatol 34:607–613

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roekevisch E, Spuls PI, Kuester D, Limpens J, Schmitt J (2014) Efficacy and safety of systemic treatments for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a systematic review. J Allergy Clin Immunol 133:429–438

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rubel D et al (2013) Consensus guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis: an Asia–Pacific perspective. J Dermatol 40:160–171

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salameh F, Perla D, Solomon M, Gamus D, Barzilai A, Greenberger S, Trau H (2008) The effectiveness of combined Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. J Altern Complement Med 14:1043–1048

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider A, Ehrlich P, Parikh P, Park S, Li X (2016) P333 severe atopic dermatitis poorly responsive to standard treatments successfully treated with traditional chinese medicine. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 117:S120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schram ME, Roekevisch E, Leeflang MMG, Bos JD, Schmitt J, Spuls PI (2011) A randomized trial of methotrexate versus azathioprine for severe atopic eczema. J Allergy Clin Immunol 128:353–359

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheehan M et al (1992) Efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal therapy in adult atopic dermatitis. Lancet 340:13–17

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shenefelt PD (2011) Herbal treatment for dermatologic disorders. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S (eds) Herbal medicine: biomolecular and clinical aspects, 2nd edition. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sidbury R et al (2014) Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: section 3. Management and treatment with phototherapy and systemic agents. J Am Acad Dermatol 71:327–349

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson EL et al (2014) Emollient enhancement of the skin barrier from birth offers effective atopic dermatitis prevention. J Allergy Clin Immunol 134:818–823

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Spergel JM (2010) Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis and atopic march in children. Immunol Allergy Clin N Am 30:269–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan HY, Zhang AL, Chen D, Xue CC, Lenon GB (2013) Chinese herbal medicine for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review. J Am Acad Dermatol 69:295–304

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Teeratakulpisarn J, Wiangnon S, Kosalaraksa P, Heng S (2004) Surveying the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in school-children in Khon Kaen, Northeastern Thailand using the ISAAC questionnaire: phase III Asian Pacific. J Allergy Immunol 22:175

    Google Scholar 

  • Trakultivakorn M, Sangsupawanich P, Vichyanond P (2007) Time trends of the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in Thai children–ISAAC (international study of asthma and allergies in childhood) phase three. J Asthma 44:609–611

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vazquez B, Avila G, Segura D, Escalante B (1996) Antiinflammatory activity of extracts from Aloe vera gel. J Ethnopharmacol 55:69–75

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wahn U et al (2002) Efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus cream in the long-term management of atopic dermatitis in children. Pediatrics 110:e2–e2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X et al (2004) The prevalence of asthma and allergies in Singapore; data from two ISAAC surveys seven years apart. Arch Dis Child 89:423–426

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weston S, Halbert A, Richmond P, Prescott SL (2005) Effects of probiotics on atopic dermatitis: a randomised controlled trial. Arch Dis Child 90:892–897

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams H, Stewart A, von Mutius E, Cookson W, Anderson HR, of Asthma IS (2008) Is eczema really on the increase worldwide? J Allergy Clin Immunol 121:947–954. e915

  • Zakaria ZA, Somchit MN, Mat Jais A, Teh L, Salleh M, Long K (2011) In vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of dried and fermented processed virgin coconut oil. Med Princ Pract 20:231–236

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Elsevier for the license for the figures. The authors would like to thank UCSI University for scientific databases access for the literatures used in the review paper.

Funding sources

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, No.1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Yik-Ling Chew, Mayasah Al-Nema & Vivian Wai-Mun Ong

Authors
  1. Yik-Ling Chew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mayasah Al-Nema
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vivian Wai-Mun Ong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

YLC, MAN and VWMO wrote the manuscript. MAN and VWMO contributed equally to the manuscript. YLC critically revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yik-Ling Chew.

Ethics declarations

Ethical Statement

No ethical issue involved in this review.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Declarations

We declared that this manuscript, or parts thereof, has not been submitted or published elsewhere for publication.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chew, YL., Al-Nema, M. & Ong, V.WM. Management and treatment of atopic dermatitis with modern therapies, complementary and alternative medicines: a review. Orient Pharm Exp Med 18, 67–76 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-018-0300-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-018-0300-7

Keywords

  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Herbal therapies
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Topical corticosteroids
  • Traditional Chinese medicine