Naturopathic Approach to Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD), or eczema, affects 10-20% of the pediatric population and 1-3% of the adult population. Eczematous skin can be extremely uncomfortable (itchy, dry, erythematous, and/or oozing), and coupled with its chronic and relapsing nature, AD can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. Naturopathic medicine seeks to understand and treat the underlying root causes of disease. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) treat the whole person, meaning they will assess how other body systems (such as intestinal health and mental health for example) impact skin health. Naturopathic interventions incorporate a wide array of modalities including lifestyle modifications, nutrition, botanical medicine, nutraceuticals, and other complementary modalities. This article will summarize the diagnosis, pathophysiology, contributing factors, and therapeutic interventions for treating atopic dermatitis through the lens of naturopathic medicine. 

Learning Objectives

• Explain the role filaggrin and natural moisturizing factor have in the pathophysiology of AD and apply research on oral and topical treatments to implement a skin barrier dysfunction treatment protocol
• Describe the research associating gut health with AD and develop a treatment protocol to address these problems using demulcent herbs, l-glutamine and probiotics
• Explain how stress can trigger and aggravate AD and formulate a stress reduction plan as part of a comprehensive treatment protocol