Dermatology Search
Dermatology Dermatology
atopic%20dermatitis
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is a chronic, relapsing, familial, symmetric and pruritic inflammatory skin disease that commonly presents during early infancy and childhood, but can persist or start in adulthood.
It is commonly associated with elevated serum immunoglobulin E levels and a personal or family history of allergies, allergic rhinitis and asthma.
It is one of the most common skin diseases afflicting both children and adults.

Patient Education

  • Discuss the chronic nature of atopic dermatitis, exacerbating factors and appropriate treatment options
    • Emphasize that atopic dermatitis tends to decrease with increase in age
  • Convey the goal of treatment is control rather than “cure”
  • Discuss that many factors probably contribute to flare-ups and usually a specific cause cannot be found
  • Educate the patient about proper skin care (eg bathing, hydration and use of moisturizers)
    • Patient/caregiver should be instructed to apply emollients liberally 3 minutes after taking a bath 2-3 times daily or frequently as the skin gets dry even in the absence of symptoms
    • Studies showed that correct and adequate instructions for use and application of moisturizers when done properly reduces disease severity and overall topical corticosteroids use
  • Explain potential side effects of medications when used over extended periods of time
    • Apply topical steroid 10-15 minutes after application of emollients
  • Keep fingernails trimmed short
  • Use of cotton gloves at night to limit scratching
Editor's Recommendations
Most Read Articles
Every-2-month cabotegravir + rilpivirine feasible for HIV treatment
Pearl Toh, 27 Mar 2020
Every-two-month injections of the long-acting cabotegravir + rilpivirine were noninferior to once-monthly injections for virologic suppression at 48 weeks in people living with HIV*, according to the ATLAS-2M** study presented at CROI 2020 — thus providing a potential option with more convenient dosing.
Overweight, obese teens more likely to develop papillary thyroid cancer as adults
3 days ago
Being overweight or obese in adolescence appears to increase the risk of papillary thyroid cancer in adulthood, a recent study has shown.
Babies not completely safe from COVID-19
Tristan Manalac, 6 days ago
While the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is generally mild in children, infants appear to be particularly susceptible to severe and critical infections, a new study has found.
Knee osteoarthritis heightens mortality risk
3 days ago
Knee osteoarthritis (OA), whether symptomatic or radiographic, contributes to an increased risk of all-cause mortality, with the risk increase from symptomatic knee OA partially attributed to its effect on disability and quality of life (QoL).