These are a Few of my Favorite Things: the Cutaneous Barrier and Topical Therapy for Allergies

Atopic dermatitis is a multifactorial chronic disease requiring a tailored approach to management. Topical therapy is a fundamental component of the therapeutic regimen. Atopic dogs benefit significantly from topical therapy in several ways: physical removal of pollens and dusts from the skin and hair coat, improvement of the skin barrier function (a burgeoning area of research in human and veterinary medicine), reduced need for systemic antimicrobials, and decreased pruritus, to name a few. Topical therapy is safe, effective, and inexpensive making it the perfect adjunctive therapy for atopic dermatitis with more direct and quick access to our target organ.