Western prescription treatment; however, more research is needed to understand the role of Chinese herbal medicine in AD.54 The Korean consensus guidelines recommend discussing with patients the belief that natural ingredients in cleansers or emollients are better. These guidelines also recommend discussing the idea that "natural" does not mean "safe" since sometimes, these natural ingredients may increase the risk of contact dermatitis.36,37 Other guidelines recommend examining and discussing the patient's or carers' attitude to treatment options, such as TCS or TCI phobia, and the use of herbal remedies to understand how to tailor AD care.15,29
It is important to be aware that some SOC patients may have cultural differences in skin care practices, and clinicians should consider this when approaching the management of AD SOC populations.
Statement 5: Clinical studies have shown that a skincare regimen incorporating a CER-containing moisturizer:
• Improves AD
• Increases lipid content, including ceramides, in the skin
• May offer clinical benefits in patients with SOC
While skin barrier differences have been reported in small studies involving specific SOC populations vs. Whites, their contribution to observed clinical and epidemiologic variations of AD remain unclear.55-58 Xerosis and pruritus are important clinical features of AD resulting from a dysfunctional epidermal barrier that leads to increased transepidermal water loss.19,57,58 Physiological stratum corneum pH is acidic (4-6), while the body's internal pH is neutral to slightly alkaline (~7.4).59 An alkaline skin surface pH can inhibit lipid processing, leading to xerosis, an associated factor in inflammatory dermatoses.59-62 Healthy skin barrier function is dependent on the complex interplay of stratum corneum pH and exogenous and endogenous processes.59,61,63-65 Lipid processing and formation of lamellar structures require an acidic skin pH, and elevated skin pH may delay barrier recovery
It is important to be aware that some SOC patients may have cultural differences in skin care practices, and clinicians should consider this when approaching the management of AD SOC populations.
Statement 5: Clinical studies have shown that a skincare regimen incorporating a CER-containing moisturizer:
• Improves AD
• Increases lipid content, including ceramides, in the skin
• May offer clinical benefits in patients with SOC
While skin barrier differences have been reported in small studies involving specific SOC populations vs. Whites, their contribution to observed clinical and epidemiologic variations of AD remain unclear.55-58 Xerosis and pruritus are important clinical features of AD resulting from a dysfunctional epidermal barrier that leads to increased transepidermal water loss.19,57,58 Physiological stratum corneum pH is acidic (4-6), while the body's internal pH is neutral to slightly alkaline (~7.4).59 An alkaline skin surface pH can inhibit lipid processing, leading to xerosis, an associated factor in inflammatory dermatoses.59-62 Healthy skin barrier function is dependent on the complex interplay of stratum corneum pH and exogenous and endogenous processes.59,61,63-65 Lipid processing and formation of lamellar structures require an acidic skin pH, and elevated skin pH may delay barrier recovery
