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Atopic Dermatitis: Overview

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Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, and pruritic disease that classically develops in early childhood. There appears to be many contributing factors in the development of this disease including both genetic and environmental interactions, which ultimately lead to impaired epidermal barrier function and immune dysregulation. AD has a variable presentation depending upon age, and the diagnosis is based on clinical history and diagnostic characteristics. When making the diagnosis of AD, it is important to exclude conditions that present with similar erythematous, scaling, and pruritic rashes. The mainstay of treatment focuses on the maintenance of the skin barrier through pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological means. In this chapter, we will review important factors in making the diagnosis and treatment options. We will also discuss common pitfalls that occur in the management of this disease.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Benjamin T. Prince MD, MSci

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Allergy and Immunology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Rekha Raveendran MD

Authors
  1. Benjamin T. Prince MD, MSci
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  2. Rekha Raveendran MD
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Correspondence to Rekha Raveendran MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    David R. Stukus

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Prince, B.T., Raveendran, R. (2018). Atopic Dermatitis: Overview. In: Stukus, D. (eds) Allergies and Adolescents. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77485-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77485-5_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-77484-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-77485-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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