Atopic Dermatitis in Chil...

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin condition that results in dry, itchy, and red skin. More than 1 in 10 children are affected. It is caused by dysfunction of the skin barrier and an imbalanced immune system. Children with AD are often described as having sensitive skin.

AD often runs in families. Many patients have low levels of a skin protein called filaggrin. Without filaggrin, or similar skin barrier proteins, the skin has trouble keeping in moisture and keeping out irritating substances like bacteria and allergens. One-third of patients with AD will have other allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, or food allergies. More severe AD is associated with a greater risk of these other allergic disorders. Symptoms can interfere with sleep, social situations, and school. Patients with AD can develop bacterial and viral skin infections.

AD can appear at any age from infants through adults. The skin rash is often similar in patients of the same age. Infants with AD have dry, rough, red, and itchy skin on their face and scalp, trunk, arms, and legs. Children are frequently affected in the creases of their elbows, knees, and neck. The affected skin may appear darker or lighter instead of red in patients with darker skin tones.