Atopic dermatitis

Commonly presents with dry, itchy skin.

Typically there is erythema, scaling, vesicles, or lichenification in skin flexures.

Diagnosis is primarily clinical.

First-line treatment is with emollients and topical corticosteroids.

Other options that may be used in patients unresponsive to first-line therapy include topical calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, or immunosuppressive agents.

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, pruritic skin with a chronic relapsing course. It can affect all age groups, but it is most commonly diagnosed before 5 years of age and affects 10% to 20% of children. Patients often have a personal or family history of other atopic diseases such as asthma or allergic rhinitis. Food allergies may occur at increased rates in this population. Atopic dermatitis can be described as acute or chronic. Acute atopic dermatitis is used to describe a flare-up of symptoms. Chronic is used to describe the condition when the patient develops signs of chronic inflammation (e.g., lichenification). The period of time before the condition is termed chronic is not clearly defined.