The use of essential oils in atopic dermatitis: a review

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has become a common childhood disease that affects a large number of children worldwide and has become a chronic skin disease that causes huge economical and psychological damage to the whole family. Despite the use of steroids, immunosuppressants, and various topical preparation, the prognosis is still poor. Hence, this review aimed to explore the potential of using essential oils (EO) as an active ingredient in managing AD. The review was completed by using Pubmed, Scopus, and Medline to search for relevant articles that study the pathophysiology of AD, the properties of EO, the use of EO in managing AD, and the suitable advanced formulation to incorporate EO. From the review conducted, it was concluded that EO have huge potential in managing AD and can be used as complimentary therapeutic agents in AD treatment. Scientists and industries should venture into commercializing more topical products with EO to help manage AD more effectively.

Keywords:

• Atopic dermatitis
• eczema
• essential oils
• pathophysiology
• aromatherapy

Transparency

Declaration of funding

This review was written without any internal or external funding.

Declaration of financial relationships

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

All the authors contributed to the writing of the manuscript, revised the manuscript, and provided final approval of the version to be published.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, University Malaysia Terengganu, and Monash University for their support in facilitating the research and writing process.