Habit Reversal Therapy: An Underutilized Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin condition characterized by a history of recurring pruritic lesions that are worsened by scratching. Therapeutic outcomes may be optimized by minimizing the scratching of pruritic AD lesions, which is often particularly challenging for pediatric populations. Alongside topical and systemic therapies, research supports the use of habit reversal therapy for AD to mitigate the urge to scratch. North American guidelines on the management of AD should unequivocally endorse the use of habit reversal therapy. This would align with guidelines in the EU and the UK as well as the emerging body of evidence in the literature.