Violation of the skin barrier in patients with allergic dermatoses: causes, consequences, possibilities of correction

The article considers the topical dermatological issue concerning the breach of the integrity of the skin’s barrier in patients with allergic dermatosis. The horny layer of the skin in such patients can be broken as a result of numerous external causes: excoriations, injuries, allergens, irritants, etc. These factors, in turn, contribute to the activation of endogenous dermal proteases and decrease in the synthesis of epidermal lipids, which leads to reduced elasticity of corneocytes, increased intercellular spaces, and facilitates access for antigenic stimulants that promote the development of inflammation. The decrease in the skin’s barrier is accompanied by the development of immune inflammation, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that inhibit the generation of antimicrobial factors, induce hyperplasia and apoptosis of keratinocytes. The integral approach plays a leading role in the treatment of the disease due to the specifics of the pathogenesis and course of allergic dermatoses. In the practice of a dermatologist, topical glucocorticosteroids occupy an important place. With their help, it is possible to quickly cope with the symptoms of inflammation in many dermatoses.

The introduction presents current literature data on the role of skin ceramides in the restoration of the epidermal barrier. It is indicated that the epidermis of patients suffering from various dermatoses is characterized by a decrease in the production and dysfunction of physiological lipids, and, therefore, is prone to an increase in the incidence of pathological skin changes. Therefore, in allergic dermatoses, it is preferable to use products containing ceramides in their composition, which reduce transepidermal moisture loss, strengthen the structures of the epidermal barrier, and allow further elimination of relapses of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients.

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