Navigating Steroid Safety and New Options in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

In this pediatric atopic dermatitis discussion, experts detail balancing treatment effectiveness and safety limitations. Dr. Golant notes increased parental awareness about steroids versus non-steroidal options. She emphasizes that short-term safety of topical corticosteroids is reliable when used appropriately but highlights a paradigm shift enabled by newer non-steroidal agents. These options offer superior tolerability profiles, critical for pediatric patients with sensitive, inflamed skin, facilitating consistent proactive maintenance therapy. Dr. Eichenfield adds practical challenges, like managing regional application and calculating volumetric use to avoid under-treatment or overexposure. The consensus underscores moving towards safe, long-term maintenance solutions to manage this chronic inflammatory disease effectively.