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Atopic dermatitis in Adult
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,External and Internal Eye
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Atopic dermatitis in Adult

See also in: Cellulitis DDx,External and Internal Eye
Contributors: Azeen Sadeghian MD, Ryan Fan BA, Jeffrey M. Cohen MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a chronic, relapsing, pruritic condition that is often associated with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. Infants and children are most often affected, with 85% of cases appearing in the first year of life and 95% of cases appearing by 5 years. Uncommonly, the condition may persist into, or even arise in, adulthood. Less than 1% of adults are affected by atopic dermatitis. With increased understanding of immunosenescence, atopic dermatitis is increasingly being recognized in the older adult population.

In infants, the disease involves primarily the face, scalp, torso, and extensor aspects of extremities. In children and adults, the disease usually involves chiefly the flexural aspects of extremities, but it may be more generalized. In adults, flexural skin may be clear and disease may be focal or widespread. Follicular patterns of atopic dermatitis (ie, follicular eczema) are more common in persons with darker skin colors.

Atopic dermatitis may be categorized as follows:
  • Acute – erythema, vesicles, bullae, weeping, crusting
  • Subacute – scaly plaques, papules, round erosions, crusts
  • Chronic eczema – lichenification, scaling, hyper- and hypopigmentation
The cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown. Genetic and environmental predisposing factors exist. Multiple loci have been associated with atopic dermatitis. A family history of atopic dermatitis is common.

Intense pruritus (itching) is a hallmark of atopic dermatitis. Scratching leads to lichenification (skin thickening from chronic trauma). Impaired barrier function leads to increased water loss and cutaneous infections. Patients with atopic dermatitis are prone to impetiginization with Staphylococcus aureus (impetigo). Secondary infections with herpes simplex virus (eczema herpeticum), Coxsackie viruses (eczema coxsackium), or vaccinia virus (eczema vaccinatum) may transpire.

Patients with atopic dermatitis have difficulties in retaining skin moisture and suffer from xerosis (dry skin). Environmental triggers, such as heat, humidity, detergents / soaps, abrasive clothing, chemicals, smoke, and even stress, tend to aggravate the condition. Latex allergy and nickel allergy occur more often in persons with atopic dermatitis. Additionally, patients with atopic dermatitis have been found to be more likely to have positive patch test results to products commonly found in topical treatments, including cocamidopropyl betaine, wool alcohol / lanolin, and tixocortol pivalate. Allergy to eggs, cow's milk, or peanuts is common. There may be a relationship between atopic dermatitis and the development of aspirin-related respiratory disease.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L20.9 – Atopic dermatitis, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
24079001 – Atopic dermatitis

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

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Best Tests

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Therapy

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References

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Last Reviewed:07/14/2024
Last Updated:12/02/2024
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Patient Information for Atopic dermatitis in Adult
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Atopic dermatitis in Adult
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,External and Internal Eye
A medical illustration showing key findings of Atopic dermatitis (Adult)
Clinical image of Atopic dermatitis - imageId=214627. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A close-up of follicular papules with scale.'
A close-up of follicular papules with scale.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.