Atopic dermatitis

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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with atopy. (Discuss)

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with neurodermatitis. (Discuss)

**Atopic dermatitis**
*Classifications and external resources*
ICD-10	L 20.
ICD-9	691.8
OMIM	603165
DiseasesDB	4113
eMedicine	emerg/130 derm/38 ped/2567 oph/479
MeSH	D003876

Atopic dermatitis, sometimes called eczema, is a kind of dermatitis, an atopic skin disease. Atopic dermatitis afflicts humans, particularly young children, and it also is a well-characterized disease in domestic pet dogs.

1 Presentation
2 Treatment
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Presentation

The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis reacts abnormally and easily to irritants, food and environmental allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. It also becomes vulnerable to surface infections caused by bacteria. The skin on the flexural surfaces of the joints (for example inner sides of elbows and knees) are most commonly affected regions in people. In dogs with atopic dermatitis, the skin of the face, front feet and the ears are most commonly affected.

Atopic dermatitis in people often occurs together with other atopic diseases like hay fever, asthma and conjunctivitis. It is a familial and chronic disease and its symptoms can grow or disappear over time. There is no cure for it, but its symptoms can be managed with various treatments. Dogs with atopic dermatitis seldom have respiratory disease, but may also be afflicted with inflammatory bowel disease.

Originally controversial, the association of food allergy with atopic dermatitis has now been clearly demonstrated, especially in severe disease of infancy. The same is true of the disease in domestic dogs.

Atopic dermatitis in older children and adults is often confused with psoriasis.

[edit] Treatment

The severity can be reduced by minimising drying of the skin and avoiding or minimising contact with known allergens. The issue of allergies often complicates a case of atopic dermatitis.

Topical treatment (those applied onto the skin) centre around reducing the dryness of the skin. Moisturisers (also known as Emollients) are available from a pharmacist or on prescription.

Most soaps wash away the oils produced by the skin that normally serve to prevent drying. Using a soap substitute such as aqueous cream helps keep the skin moisturised.

If moisturisers on their own don't help, topical steroid ointments or creams may be used. These are safe to use provided they are prescribed by a doctor.

Although many people are intimidated by the term 'steroids', their proper use can result in atopic dermatitis being brought under control, making the disease far more bearable for the sufferers.

Alternative medicines may (illegally) contain very strong steroids (Ramsay H M, Goddard W, Gill S, Moss C. Herbal creams used for atopic eczema in Birmingham, UK illegally contain potent corticosteroids. Archives of Disease in Childhood 2003; 88:1056-1057).

The immunosuppressant Tacrolimus can be used in a topical preparation in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (often called "eczema").

Many of the same types of treatment are used in domestic dogs with atopic dermatitis. In addition, domestic dogs may be successfully managed with allergen-specific immunotherapy and many are treated with low-dose cyclosporine lipid emulsion.