Tailoring Treatment: Personalizing Topical Therapy for Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

EP: 1.Recognizing and Diagnosing Atopic Dermatitis With Confidence

EP: 2.A Practical Guide to Atopic Dermatitis Differential Diagnosis

EP: 3.Quantifying Atopic Dermatitis in Practice: Evaluating Patient Disease Severity

EP: 4.Soothing the Skin: Wellness Practices for Atopic Dermatitis Management

EP: 5.The Topical Toolbox: A Review of Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Options

EP: 6.TCS and TCIs: Benefits, Risks, and Real-World Uses for Atopic Dermatitis

EP: 7.Beyond Steroids: Clinical Trial Results on the Next Generation Agents for Atopic Dermatitis

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EP: 8.Tailoring Treatment: Personalizing Topical Therapy for Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

EP: 9.Stronger Together: Collaborating with Dermatologists for Better Outcome

EP: 10.Real Cases, Key Takeaways: Applying Atopic Dermatitis Insights in Clinical Practice

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Effective topical treatment selection for atopic dermatitis requires careful consideration of affected body areas, patient preferences, and disease extent. When multiple anatomical regions are involved—including face, hands, intertriginous areas, and extremities—practitioners must match appropriate corticosteroid potencies to specific locations while incorporating non-steroidal alternatives. The newer non-steroidal topicals (roflumilast, ruxolitinib, tapinarof) offer significant advantages as "one-stop shop" solutions, potentially simplifying complex multi-drug regimens that challenge patient adherence.

Patient preference studies involving over 300 adults unsatisfied with current atopic dermatitis therapy reveal strong preferences for topical over systemic treatments. Most patients expect skin clearance within 3-4 months and favor topical therapies due to concerns about systemic medication invasiveness. This preference is strongest among patients with mild-to-moderate disease, who represent the majority of atopic dermatitis cases seen in primary care settings, making topical optimization crucial for treatment success.

Improving patient adherence requires multifaceted strategies including comprehensive patient education, simplified written instructions, and regular follow-up appointments. Successful practitioners provide detailed guidance on proactive treatment approaches—using corticosteroids during flares followed by twice-weekly non-steroidal maintenance therapy. Access considerations are critical, with newer topicals requiring prior authorization and specialty pharmacy utilization to ensure affordable patient copays through manufacturer contracts and insurance negotiations.