Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, chronically relapsing, non-contagious and itching skin disorder. It commonly begins in childhood and is usually related to other allergy problems including hayfever, asthma, food allergy, etc.

The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis is very dehydrated and reacts abnormally and easily to irritants, food, and environmental allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. It may be vulnerable to surface infections caused by bacteria. Different areas of the skin may be affected during different stages of life.

Although there is no cure for atopic eczema, much about it is understood and it can be treated very effectively in the short term through a combination of prevention (learning what triggers the allergic reactions) and drug therapy.

Atopic dermatitis most often begins in childhood before age 5 and may persist into adulthood. For some, it flares periodically and then subsides for a time, even up to several years. Yet, it is estimated that 75% of the cases of atopic dermatitis improve by the time children reach adolescence, whereas 25% continue to have difficulties with the condition through adulthood.

Although atopic dermatitis can theoretically affect any part of the body, it tends to be more frequent on the hands and feet, on the ankles, wrists, face, neck and upper chest. Atopic dermatitis can also affect the skin around the eyes, including the eyelids.

In most patients, the usual symptoms that occur with this type of dermatitis are aggravated by a Staphylococcus aureus infection, dry skin, stress, low humidity and sweating, dust or sand or cigarette smoke. Also, the condition can be worsen by having long and hot baths or showers, solvents, cleaners or detergents and wool fabrics or clothing.

Atopic dermatitis is also known as infantile eczema, when it occurs in infants. Infantile eczema may continue into childhood and adolescence and it often involves an oozing, crusting rash mainly on the scalp and face, although it can occur anywhere on the body. The appearance of the rash tends to modify, becoming dryer in childhood and then scaly or thickened in adolescence while the itching is persistent.

Treatment is usually successful at controlling the symptoms