Page 94 - Community pharmcy practice E-book 2025

02/11/2025, 00:10 Otic & Ophthalmic Disorders | Dermatological Disorders

✓ Moisturizers should be applied immediately after bathing to rehydrate the skin.

✓ Because some soaps can be irritating and cause dry skin, mild nonsoap cleansers that are hypoallergenic
and fragrance-free (e.g., Cetaphil) are preferred.

✓ Cool or lukewarm soapless showers temporarily relieve the itching associated with dermatitis.

✓ Fingernails be kept short, smooth, and clean (to prevent skin damage from scratching)

Education on trigger avoidance and hydration of the skin is of utmost importance in the prevention as well as
treatment of AD & CD.

Pharmacological therapies

Moisturizers
Topical corticosteroids
Antihistaminic

The outermost layer of the skin, called the stratum corneum, is known as the skin barrier.
It composed of dead skin cells (corneocytes) linked together by lipids, fats, and proteins.
This "brick and mortar" structure is the skin's first line of defence against external factors and helps regulate
moisture.
Maintaining skin hydration and barrier function is the KEY pharmacological treatment goal.

Moisturizers

The use of moisturizers is standard of care for AD& dry skin because maintaining skin hydration and the skin
barrier is key to successful management.

Moisturizers, especially those containing emollients, should be used at least twice daily for preventive and
maintenance therapy to keep skin soft.

Class Mode of Action Compounds Comments

Occlusives Form a physical barrier Many ingredients can be both
(OTC) on the skin to prevent emollients and occlusives. Ex:
water loss and seal in waxes, lanolin, white petroleum, oil
Humectants moisture. plants (olive oil)
(OTC)
Attract water from the Glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, May be irritant at high
dermis to stratum urea, alphahydroxy acids (AHA's) concentrations (continued
corneum water loss from the skin)

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