Interferon Gamma for Atopic Dermatitis
Interferon gamma is a medicine that stimulates the immune system. It can reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis such as redness, swelling, itching, and dry skin. But this medicine is only used to treat severe atopic dermatitis that doesn't respond to other treatment.
When injected under the skin surface
(subcutaneously), interferon gamma significantly improves
atopic dermatitis symptoms for 4 out of 5
people.
1
A common side effect is flu-like illness
during the early days of treatment.
Although interferon gamma injections are considered safe and
effective for many people who have severe atopic dermatitis, they aren't widely
used because of their inconvenience and expense.
But if you have severe symptoms that have not responded to other
treatments, injections are worth considering.
Citations
-
Boguniewicz M, Leung DYM (2009). Atopic dermatitis. In
N Franklin Addison Jr et al., eds., Middleton's Allergy Principles and Practice, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1083–1103. Philadelphia:
Mosby Elsevier.
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| Amy McMichael, MD - Dermatology |
|
Last Revised
| April 17, 2012 |
Last Revised:
April 17, 2012
Boguniewicz M, Leung DYM (2009). Atopic dermatitis. In
N Franklin Addison Jr et al., eds., Middleton's Allergy Principles and Practice, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1083–1103. Philadelphia:
Mosby Elsevier.
