Description

• Atopic dermatitis is the most common cause of eczema and the terms are often used synonymously:
  • Associated with allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis
• Eczema literally means “out boil” and refers to spongiosis, the process where microvesicles form and rupture, leaving erythema, edema, crusting, and oozing
• Pruritus is highly characteristic:
  • Patient scratching causes skin breakdown with oozing and crusting
  • Chronic response is epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis
• 90% of patients colonize with Staphylococcus aureus, and are prone to episodes of superinfection

Risk Factors

• Family history of atopy (asthma, allergic rhinitis)
• Mutation of the filaggrin protein (part of the epidermal barrier) is strongly associated

Etiology

Atopic dermatitis is caused by a deficit in epidermal integrity that allows foreign substances to enter and trigger immune responses