Topical corticosteroids for pediatric atopic dermatitis: Thoughtful tips for practice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, affecting up to 25% of children. Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are currently used as first-line antiinflammatory treatment for AD, due to their overall therapeutic efficacy, and the availability of different potency classes and a wide array of formulations. Therapeutic efficacy of TCS depends upon selecting the appropriate vehicle and potency, and the frequency of application, also taking into account the duration of treatment and patient preferences. This article focuses on TCS benefits and potential risks and it provides practical tips to properly use these drugs in clinical practice, to make a patient-tailored treatment approach.