Atopic Dermatitis - Eczema

Atopic dermatitis is a very common skin disease, usually found in individuals who have a family history of allergies, such as hayfever, hives, or asthma. The cause is not known, but because it tends to occur in families, it is thought to be inherited.

When atopic dermatitis, or eczema, occurs, the skin reacts to an internal or external stimulus, resulting in inflammation and in some cases, severe itching. Symptoms can range from a rash to patches of dry, thickened skin.

Atopic dermatitis is most often seen in children, adolescents, and young adults. Over half of the affected infants recover before the age of 5, and most patients recover some time before the age of 25. Some patients, however, suffer from czema throughout life. For them, the condition may disappear for a while and then reappear.

Certain factors are known to trigger the symptoms. Extreme heat or cold, rapid changes in temperature, or irritating clothing may bring about a recurrence of the disease. It is lso known that periods of physical or emotional stress my trigger recurrences of the dermatitis.