Itch in atopic dermatitis

Symptomatic itch control in atopic dermatitis patients. Oral antihistamines may help with severe nocturnal pruritus, but evidence for impact on the course of dermatitis itself is limited.

ICD-10 L201 drug

Also known as: Pruritus in eczema, AD itch

Drugs used for this condition

DCetirizineAdd-on therapy · Second-generation antihistaminesEvidence for oral antihistamines in atopic dermatitis is limited. Systematic reviews do not confirm a meaningful impact on itch or disease course. In practice, however, cetirizine is sometimes used for severe nocturnal pruritus – its mild sedative effect may help with sleep.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit