Joanna Czerniel

Atopic dermatitis in children – topical glucocorticoids therapy and prospects for the use of cannabidiol – a systematic review

 

2025-12-30

Subject of research. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by scaly, itchy eczematous lesions, affecting up to 20% of children. It most often manifests between 3 and 6 months of age. The causes of AD are complex and multifactorial, involving a strong genetic predisposition and multiple immune mechanisms. All of these lead to epidermal dysfunction and inflammation caused by T lymphocytes. The main symptoms include severe itching and the recurrent nature of the disease. Despite the availability of therapies to alleviate symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life, there is still no effective causal treatment for this disease entity.

Research objective. This paper aims to discuss the current state of knowledge on topical therapies for AD in children using topical glucocorticoids (tGSCs). The paper focuses on the potential use of cannabidiol (CBD) and nanoemulsion technology in the context of treating this disease entity.

Materials and methods. A literature search was conducted in two electronic databases, PubMed and Scopus, using a combination of the terms “glucocorticoids” and “nanoemulsion” or “cannabidiol” and “atopic dermatitis”.

Results. tGSCs are the first-line treatment for inflammation in children with exacerbations of AD. However, improper use of this group of drugs can lead to both local and systemic side effects, with children being particularly vulnerable due to the structure of their skin, which promotes increased accumulation of tGSCs. For this reason, there is growing interest in alternative therapeutic strategies, including the use of natural substances with anti-inflammatory potential, such as CBD, which could enhance the effect of tGSCs and thus potentially reduce the doses of tGSCs used. In addition, increasing attention is being paid to modern drug delivery systems, including nanoemulsions, which increase the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble active substances such as tGSCs and CBD.

Conclusion. There is still a need to develop safe and effective therapies for the treatment of AD in children, as current medications, especially tGSCs, can cause numerous side effects. Alternatives are being explored, including natural anti-inflammatory substances such as CBD, and the use of nanoemulsion technology to enhance the efficacy and safety of treatment. This approach may improve patient comfort, quality of life, and the safety of therapy.

Keywords: nanoemulsion, cannabidiol, atopic dermatitis, glucocorticoids.

© Farm Pol, 2025, 81(6): 369–377