ABSTRACT
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the commonest skin diseases, affecting 20% of children and, with its chronic relapsing nature, about 6% of adults (Fig. 4.1). Treatment generally relies on a balance between control of the condition, quality of life and safe long-term treatment. Successful treatment can usually be obtained in mild to moderate disease with topical preparations, by decreasing trigger factors and by management of allergies (Fig. 4.2). For recalcitrant cases, systemic therapies are available but are limited by their toxicity and efficacy. It is for these patients that therapeutic advances are sought. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (hdIVIg) has been noted to be beneficial in the treatment of AD anecdotally, in case reports and in small uncontrolled trials. As yet, no doubleblind placebo-controlled studies have been performed.
