Atopic Dermatitis

This skin disease is often called eczema.

Actually it is only one of several types of eczema, which is a term that describes a flaky, patchy dry rash which is typically very itchy. Atopic dermatitis is one of the common types of eczema, found most commonly in infants and children, though it can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is one of a group of diseases which are known as atopy. Other components of atopy include asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). It tends to be hereditary, although different family members may get different aspects — one may get asthma, the second, allergies, and the unfortunate third, all three conditions.

About Atopic Dermatitis

For unknown reasons, there is a huge increase in the frequency of atopic dermatitis being diagnosed in the U.S. Although It is generally like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis is less clearcut, tending to fade gradually into normal skin areas. Unlike psoriasis, it tends to occur in fold areas, like in the inside of the bend of the elbows, on the back of the knees and back of the neck, and tops of the ankles. Facial involvement is particularly common in infants. Itching is much more severe than in typical psoriasis. Patients often scratch their eczema so much that the skin becomes dark, thickened, and leathery. This level of eczema is extremely difficult to control. Itching is often severe enough to interfere with sleep, studying, or work.

Treatment

Treatment is most commonly done with topical cortisone creams, although more severe flares may require oral steroids. Antibiotics are often used, as areas of eczema are very prone to staph infection. Medications like antihistamines are used solely for management of itch. More recent developments include the topical non-steroid based topical immunomodulators, Elidel and Protopic, which have significant advantages for long term use compared to cortisone creams. It remains true that, especially for more severe cases, treatment for atopic dermatitis leaves much to be desired, thus our interest in continuing to research potentially better treatments.