Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, also called atopic eczema, is a chronic skin condition whose hallmark is persistent itch. It is the most common form of eczema and can affect people of all ages, though symptoms often begin in early childhood.
Key points
- Affected skin commonly appears on the elbows, knees, and hands, and on the face in babies and toddlers; it can be dry, cracked, scaly, or thickened, and may look red, grey, or lighter or darker than surrounding skin.
- The condition follows a relapsing-remitting course, with periods of worsening symptoms called flare-ups alternating with periods of improvement.
- There is currently no cure, but symptoms tend to get better with age, and the main treatments are emollients and topical corticosteroids.
Medicines listed for Atopic Dermatitis
The listed products contain mometasone furoate (Elocon) and tacrolimus (Protopic), both in tube form for topical application. Mometasone furoate is a topical corticosteroid, a class used in managing atopic dermatitis. Tacrolimus is a topical calcineurin inhibitor, a non-steroid option sometimes considered for sensitive areas or when a steroid is not suitable.

