Primary Prevention of Canine Atopic Dermatitis: Breaking the Cycle—A Narrative Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This paper addresses the pressing issue of canine atopic dermatitis, a common and distressing skin condition in dogs. It affects up to 30% of dogs, causing severe itching and skin problems. Additionally, it leads to secondary infections, further complicating treatment. This condition significantly reduces the quality of life for both dogs and their owners, causing emotional and financial strain. This paper emphasizes the need for prevention strategies for this disease, rather than just treating the symptoms. While treatments exist, they often come with limitations and can be expensive. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding the skin barrier’s role in canine atopic dermatitis development. This paper suggests that focusing on preventing this condition in the first place would be more effective and cost-efficient. Drawing parallels between canine atopic dermatitis and its human counterpart, this paper highlights the potential for shared prevention strategies. The authors propose that restoring the skin barrier before the disease’s mechanisms can lead to a vicious cycle of further damage could be a key approach to prevention. Overall, research regarding the primary prevention of canine atopic dermatitis has the potential to greatly improve the well-being of dogs and their owners by offering effective and accessible preventive measures. ABSTRACT: Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common and distressing skin condition in dogs, affecting up to 30% of the canine population. It not only impacts their quality of life but also that of their owners. Like human atopic dermatitis (hAD), cAD has a complex pathogenesis, including genetic and environmental factors. Current treatments focus on managing clinical signs, but they can be costly and have limitations. This article emphasizes the importance of preventing cAD from developing in the first place. Understanding the role of the skin’s protective barrier is crucial, as its dysfunction plays a vital role in both hAD and cAD. hAD prevention studies have shown promising results in enhancing the skin barrier, but more research is needed to support more robust conclusions. While hAD primary prevention is currently a focal point of intensive investigation in human medicine, research on cAD primary prevention remains under-researched and almost non-existent. Pioneering effective prevention strategies for cAD holds immense potential to enhance the quality of life for both dogs and their owners. Additionally, it bears the promise of a translational impact on human research. Hence, further exploration of this crucial topic is not only relevant but also timely and imperative, warranting support and encouragement.