### When to Switch from Topical to Whole-Body Treatment for Skin Conditions If you have atopic dermatitis (AD) and are experiencing redness, discoloration, dryness, and itching, it might be time to consult your dermatologist. The first step is to evaluate the severity of your condition. Dermatologists assess the severity based on the amount of affected skin. The more inflamed areas you have, the more severe your condition is. They also look at the location and color of the affected skin. Severe AD often appears red, but in darker skin tones, it may look discolored. If topical treatments are not controlling your symptoms, it might be time to consider more intensive treatments. Topical treatments like coal tar, steroid ointments, and calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., pimecrolimus and tacrolimus) are often sufficient for mild cases. Newer topical treatments like crisaborole (Eucrisa) and JAK inhibitors like ruxolitinib (Opzelura) are also available. Phototherapy is another option for larger affected areas. For severe AD or when topical treatments fail, systemic treatments might be necessary. These include medications like cyclosporine, which suppresses the immune system, and newer biologics like dupilumab (Dupixent) and tralokinumab-ldrm (Adbry). These treatments are more targeted and can significantly improve symptoms but may come with higher costs and potential side effects. Consult your dermatologist to determine the best course of action.