Atopic dermatitis can also be confused with scabies . There is no cure for atopic dermatitis but several treatments can reduce its severity. Emollients or moisturisers can help reduce redness and itchiness and also make other treatment, especially topical steroids, more effective. Sometimes they are combined with anti-bacterial ingredients to treat infected atopic dermatitis. They are perfectly safe when used properly.
Phototherapy is a form of treatment using artificial light.
Both are done in hospital outpatient departments and need to be given 2-3 times each week for 6 weeks or more. Although highly effective, treatment must be limited as excess exposure to these lights can cause skin cancers. Steroid tablets or injections can temporarily clear severe atopic dermatitis in a few days. However, patients suffer side effects if they use them for more than two weeks. But it can also cause kidney damage.