[Constitutional eczema; the possibilities of local treatment]

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease with a major impact on the quality of life. The cause of this disease is unknown and the diagnosis is made using a set of diagnostic features. In very moderate cases topical treatment of the dry skin may be sufficient. In more severe cases topical treatment with corticosteroids is recommended. Dependent on the steroid used and the severity of the eczema, different application schemes and treatment methods may be used. In exceptional cases, tar derivatives, topical antibacterial compounds and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be applied. In the near future, the limited therapeutic arsenal of topically effective substances will almost certainly be extended to include drugs such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus with an inhibiting effect on inflammatory cytokines.