Abstract
Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects up to 20–30% of children and 2–10% of adults. It represents a complex genetic disease with environmental influences and an underlying defect in the epidermal barrier as well as associated immune dysregulation. Characteristic clinical features include onset during infancy or early childhood, intense pruritus, and a chronically relapsing course. Acute inflammation and involvement of the cheeks, scalp, and extensor aspects of the extremities predominates in infants, shifting to chronic inflammation with lichenification and a predilection for flexural sites in children and adults. Atopic dermatitis is often accompanied by other atopic disorders such as asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and food allergies. This chapter reviews the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, associated features, complications, and histopathologic findings of atopic dermatitis. A proactive approach to management is highlighted, including avoidance of trigger factors, regular use of emollients, and anti-inflammatory therapy to control subclinical inflammation as well as overt flares.
Published Version
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