Medical & Clinical Reviews

Update on Atopic Dermatitis: Diagnosis, Severity Assessment, and Treatment Selection

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin condition. Atopic dermatitis may occur in people of any age but often starts in infants aged 2-6 months. Ninety percent of patients with atopic dermatitis experience the onset of disease prior to age 5 years. Seventy-five percent of individuals experience marked improvement in the severity of their atopic dermatitis by age 14 years; The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children with one affected parent is 60% and rises to nearly 80% for children of two affected parents. Additionally, nearly 40% of patients with newly diagnosed cases report a positive family history for atopic dermatitis in at least one first degree relative Atopic dermatitis persists into adulthood in 20-40% of children with the condition.

Author(s):

Ibrahim Mitwally and Manal Fawzy

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