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
Prolonged oestrogen exposure in older women yields cognitive benefits
4 days ago
Older women with longer endogenous oestrogen exposure and hormone therapy use are at much higher odds of having favourable cognitive status in late life, a recent study suggests.
Rivaroxaban monotherapy safe, effective in AF, stable CAD patients
2 days ago
In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD), rivaroxaban monotherapy is noninferior to combination treatment with an antiplatelet therapy in terms of cutting the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality, according to data from the AFIRE trial.
Omega-3, vitamin D no help for kidney function: Time to shift attention
Elvira Manzano, 3 days ago
Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin D3 for up to 5 years has no effect on kidney function in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), the VITAL-DKD* ancillary study has shown.
COOL-AF data point to unmet need for stroke prevention in NVAF patients in Thailand
Jairia Dela Cruz, 18 hours ago
Many patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in Thailand use anticoagulants, but the uptake of nonvitamin-K oral anticoagulants remains suboptimal despite showing an upward trend, according to data from the COOL-AF registry presented at the European Society of Cardioloy (ESC) Asia Congress 2019 with APSC and AFC.