Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms and Causes

Atopic dermatitis is an itchy rash that comes and goes with with redness, scaling, and swelling.

Incidence: Very Common
○ Affects 15-20% of children worldwide and 1-2% of adults
○ Treatable by a medical professional
○ Lab tests or imaging not usually required
○ Medium-term: 66% of children will resolve by age 13, the rest may have excema long into adulthood.

Atopic dermatitis is a form of excema which usually develops in early childhood and is more common in people who have a family history of the condition. Lesions are most common on the sun exposed areas like the face, lips, ears, back of hands, forearms, scalp, and neck. The rough, scaly skin patch enlarges slowly. In the early stages, the scale may come off and the lesion may look like it has gone only to recur again later. Often, the lesions are slightly tender. Over time, the lesions can turn into a skin cancer, usually squamous cell carcinoma. Because they are precancerous they are usually removed as a precaution.

Cause of atopic dermatitis: Known triggers include exposure to allergens such as pollen, pet dander or peanuts, or by stress, dry skin and infection. Skin irritants such as some fabrics, soaps and household cleaners may also trigger an atopic dermatitis flare.