Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI: Advancements in Topical Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis

April 29, 2026

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, an associate professor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School and founder and director of the Center for Medical Dermatology and Immunology Research in Chicago, Illinois, discusses the evolution of atopic dermatitis treatment. He emphasizes the shift from traditional therapies to newer topical options for patients, such ruxolitinib (Opzelura). Dr. Chovatiya also highlights the utility, flexibility, and rapid onset of topical therapies, noting agents that have shown to provide itch relief and visible lesion improvement within minutes to days.

Topics Covered:

- Advancements in atopic dermatitis options
- Using topical therapies before moving to systemic therapies
- Effective treatment of burdensome locations

MORE EXPERT PERSPECTIVES IN ATOPIC DERMATITIS

David Seiter, FNP-C: Rapid Relief for Atopic Dermatitis Flares

David Seiter, FNP-C, shares a patient success story involving a teenage patient with severe atopic dermatitis that achieved complete skin clearance within one week after

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD: Rapid Itch Relief with Upadacitinib vs. Dupilumab in Atopic Dermatitis

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, an associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, discusses a poster presentation comparing the itch

George Han, MD, PhD: Advancing Atopic Dermatitis Care: Early Use of Topical JAK Inhibitors

George Han, MD, PhD, discusses the evolving treatment strategies for patients with atopic dermatitis.

Kara Mudd DMSc, PA-C: Use of Ruxolitinib in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Kara Mudd reviews findings from the Phase 3 TRuE-AD3 study evaluating topical ruxolitinib in children aged 2 to <12 years with atopic dermatitis. The discussion

Mona Shahriari, MD: Removal of Black Box Warnings Change Considerations for Hormonal Therapy in Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Shahriari reviews the FDA’s decision to remove certain “black box” warnings for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and discusses how this shift may influence treatment

Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD: Evaluating Long-term Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Johann Gudjonsson discusses how spesolimab may reduce low-grade inflammation between flares in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). Topics Covered: Subclinical inflammation in GPP

Lisa Swanson, MD: Topical Therapies for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Lisa Swanson highlights three effective nonsteroidal topical therapies for managing atopic dermatitis in both pediatric and adult patients. Topics Covered: Nonsteroidal topical options for

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Maintaining Optimal Treatment Targets with Upadacitinib for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Raj Chovatiya presents long-term data on upadacitinib’s ability to maintain skin clearance and itch relief in atopic dermatitis patients over 140 weeks. Topics Covered:

Diego Ruiz Dasilva, MD, FAAD: Investigating Combination Topical Ruxolitinib and Systemic Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Diego Ruiz Dasilva reviews real-world data showing the safety and efficacy of combining topical ruxolitinib with systemic therapies in atopic dermatitis care. Topics Covered:

Andrew Mastro, MS, PA-C: Managing the Psychosocial and Occupational Burden of Chronic Hand Eczema

Andrew Mastro, MS, PA-C, addresses the psychosocial impact of chronic hand eczema and highlights emerging treatments like biologics and JAK inhibitors. Topics Covered: Quality of

Andrew Mastro, MS, PA-C: Providing Effective Treatment for the Head-and-neck Area in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Andrew Mastro, MS, PA-C, addresses the psychosocial impact of chronic hand eczema and highlights emerging treatments like biologics and JAK inhibitors. Topics Covered: Quality of

Naiem T. Issa, MD, PhD: Mitigating Economic Impacts of Atopic Dermatitis through Effective Treatment

Dr. Naiem Issa shares real-world evidence showing how ruxolitinib cream may reduce treatment costs and productivity loss in patients with atopic dermatitis. Topics Covered: Economic

Diego Ruiz Dasilva, MD, FAAD: Achievement of Optimal Treatment Targets with Oral JAK Inhibition in Elderly Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Diego Ruiz Dasilva highlights real-world data showing oral JAK inhibitors can safely and effectively achieve treatment targets in elderly patients with AD. Topics Covered:

Lisa Swanson, MD: Insights on Maximum-use of Ruxolitinib Cream in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Lisa Swanson shares insights on maximum-use data for ruxolitinib cream in children ages 2–11 with atopic dermatitis, highlighting safety and efficacy. Topics Covered: Ruxolitinib

Lisa Swanson, MD: Insights on Maximum-use of Ruxolitinib Cream in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Lisa Swanson, MD, JCAD’s Section Editor of Pediatric Dermatology, shares her thoughts on new research evaluating maximum-use conditions for topical ruxolitinib cream in pediatric patients

Michael Cameron, MD, FAAD: Improving Itch and Quality of Life in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Michael Cameron discusses 52-week results showing rapid and lasting improvements in itch and quality of life with upadacitinib plus topical steroids. Topics Covered: Combination

James Song, MD: Personalizing Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. James Song highlights the need for personalized approaches in atopic dermatitis care to predict treatment response and reduce trial-and-error prescribing. Topics Covered: Personalization in

Melodie Young, MSN, RN, ANP-C: Treating Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Melodie Young, MSN, RN, ANP-C, discusses treating young children with atopic dermatitis and counseling caregivers on potential side effects. Topics Covered: Pediatric atopic dermatitis treatment

James Song, MD, FAAD: Checking in on Long-term Safety Data on JAK Inhibitors for Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. James Song reviews the latest long-term safety data on topical and oral JAK inhibitors for managing atopic dermatitis**.** Topics Covered: Long-term safety of JAK

Melodie Young, MSN, RN, ANP-C: Practical Aspects of Treating Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Melodie Young discusses the logistics of gaining access to newer medications through speciality pharmacies for patients with atopic dermatitis.

James Del Rosso, DO: Evaluating Effective Topical Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Del Rosso discusses the current topical treatments available for patients with atopic dermatitis that have shown consistent efficacy with limited adverse events.

Andrea Nguyen, PA-C, MS: Treatment Education for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Andrea Nguyen, PA-C, MS, discusses how the internet and social media has contributed to more in-depth discussion with her patients regarding treatment for atopic dermatitis.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Atopic Dermatitis Patient Counseling for Moisturization

Dr. Chovatiya discusses the effectiveness of providing a moisturizer in combination with a topical or systemic therapy to achieve clear skin regardless of disease severity.

Raj Chovatiya, MD: Key Ingredients in Moisturizers for Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Chovatiya reviews some of the essentials to look for in moisturizers such as a treatment that is semipermeable and has natural moisturizing factors.

TJ Chao, PA-C: Considering Adverse Events in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

TJ Chao breaks down the black box warnings for ruxolitinib cream 1.5% and discusses the importance in communicating the specifics of these warnings to patients.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Optimizing Atopic Dermatitis Treatment through Proper Moisturization

Dr. Chovatiya discusses the benefits of a moisturization routine as a complement to all currently available therapies for patients with atopic dermatitis.

TJ Chao, PA-C: Utilizing Topical Treatments for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Mr. Chao discusses the reliability of ruxolitinib cream 1.5% in treating patients with atopic dermatitis. He emphasized how well it is tolerated by patients, as

Matthew Zirwas, MD: Revolution of Topical Treatments in Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Matthew Zirwas reviews atopic dermatitis treatments that have been essential in providing immediate improvement in itch leading to a sense of control in his

Jonathan I. Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, FAAD: Patient Counseling in Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Silverberg discusses how to safely counsel patients when deciding between topical versus oral JAK inhibitors for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Peter Lio, MD, FAAD: Sustainable Improvements for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Lio discusses the effects of topical ruxolitinib in his patients with atopic dermatitis, and how he incorporates this treatment into his practice.

Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD: Matching Patients to the Right Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis

Dr. Friedman discusses how to evaluate patients with atopic dermatitis to match them with their best treatment as well as the importance of keeping a

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Itch in Atopic Dermatitis

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, Director of the Center for Eczema and Itch at the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, discusses

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Explaining the Mechanisms and Advantages of JAK Inhibitors

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, Director of the Center for Eczema and Itch at the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, discusses

Peter Lio, MD: Innovations in JAK Inhibitors

Peter Lio, MD, of Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, discusses recent innovations in atopic dermatitis therapies with regard to JAK inhibitors. Dr.

JCAD Archives

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI: Advancements in Topical Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis

MORE EXPERT PERSPECTIVES IN ATOPIC DERMATITIS

David Seiter, FNP-C: Rapid Relief for Atopic Dermatitis Flares

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD: Rapid Itch Relief with Upadacitinib vs. Dupilumab in Atopic Dermatitis

George Han, MD, PhD: Advancing Atopic Dermatitis Care: Early Use of Topical JAK Inhibitors

Kara Mudd DMSc, PA-C: Use of Ruxolitinib in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Mona Shahriari, MD: Removal of Black Box Warnings Change Considerations for Hormonal Therapy in Atopic Dermatitis

Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD: Evaluating Long-term Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Lisa Swanson, MD: Topical Therapies for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Maintaining Optimal Treatment Targets with Upadacitinib for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Diego Ruiz Dasilva, MD, FAAD: Investigating Combination Topical Ruxolitinib and Systemic Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis

Andrew Mastro, MS, PA-C: Managing the Psychosocial and Occupational Burden of Chronic Hand Eczema

Andrew Mastro, MS, PA-C: Providing Effective Treatment for the Head-and-neck Area in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Naiem T. Issa, MD, PhD: Mitigating Economic Impacts of Atopic Dermatitis through Effective Treatment

Diego Ruiz Dasilva, MD, FAAD: Achievement of Optimal Treatment Targets with Oral JAK Inhibition in Elderly Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Lisa Swanson, MD: Insights on Maximum-use of Ruxolitinib Cream in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Lisa Swanson, MD: Insights on Maximum-use of Ruxolitinib Cream in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Michael Cameron, MD, FAAD: Improving Itch and Quality of Life in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

James Song, MD: Personalizing Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis

Melodie Young, MSN, RN, ANP-C: Treating Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

James Song, MD, FAAD: Checking in on Long-term Safety Data on JAK Inhibitors for Atopic Dermatitis

Melodie Young, MSN, RN, ANP-C: Practical Aspects of Treating Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

James Del Rosso, DO: Evaluating Effective Topical Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis

Andrea Nguyen, PA-C, MS: Treatment Education for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Atopic Dermatitis Patient Counseling for Moisturization

Raj Chovatiya, MD: Key Ingredients in Moisturizers for Atopic Dermatitis

TJ Chao, PA-C: Considering Adverse Events in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Optimizing Atopic Dermatitis Treatment through Proper Moisturization

TJ Chao, PA-C: Utilizing Topical Treatments for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Matthew Zirwas, MD: Revolution of Topical Treatments in Atopic Dermatitis

Jonathan I. Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, FAAD: Patient Counseling in Atopic Dermatitis

Peter Lio, MD, FAAD: Sustainable Improvements for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD: Matching Patients to the Right Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis​

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Itch in Atopic Dermatitis

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD: Explaining the Mechanisms and Advantages of JAK Inhibitors

Peter Lio, MD: Innovations in JAK Inhibitors

Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD: Matching Patients to the Right Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis