Year-Round Flares in Atopic Dermatitis: Mechanisms and Strategies for Sustained Control

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorder traditionally regarded as a seasonal disease with exacerbations occurring predominantly during colder months. However, clinical observations and emerging evidence indicate that many patients experience disease flares throughout the year, independent of seasonal variation. This persistent disease activity is driven by ongoing skin barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and continuous exposure to non seasonal triggers such as sweating, psychological stress, irritants, microbial colonization, and suboptimal treatment adherence. Furthermore, subclinical inflammation persists even during periods of apparent remission, predisposing patients to recurrent flares. Conventional reactive treatment strategies that focus solely on acute exacerbations often fail to achieve sustained disease control. In contrast, proactive and preventive approaches targeting both barrier restoration and persistent inflammation have demonstrated improved long-term outcomes. This review highlights the mechanisms underlying year-round flares in atopic dermatitis and emphasizes evidence-based strategies for sustained disease control.

Keywords: Atopic Dermatitis; Skin Barrier Dysfunction; Subclinical Inflammation; Disease Flares; Proactive Therapy; Chronic Inflammation

Citation

Manocha G, Gulati S, Malhotra A, Gulati A. Year-Round Flares in Atopic Dermatitis: Mechanisms and Strategies for Sustained Control. WebLog J Dermatol. wjd.2026.f2908. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21325367