By Dr Linda Vogelnest
What is best practice for long-term control of atopic dermatitis?
The safest treatment plan (often multimodal) effective for each patient & achievable for owners!
Safe options include: allergen-immunotherapy (based on intradermal and/or serum testing), potent topical steroids (twice weekly), cleansing/bathing (to help reduce infection risk), barrier repair (fatty acids, moisturizing after/between baths), antihistamines. Additional low-dose pred (≤0.5mg/kg 1-2 times weekly) can be safe with monitoring.
Higher risk options (known immunosuppressive risks) include: Apoquel, Cyclosporin, pred (>0.5mg/kg twice wkly): these are more reliably effective and easy options (if affordable), but not the safest options for our patients!
