Insert summary here.
Pathophysiology
- Skin barrier dysfunction
- Often due to filaggrin gene mutation
- Dysfunction leads to:
- Loss of epidermal water content
- Increased irritant/ allergen permeability
- Skin inflammation
Contextual Factors
- Family history of atopy (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis)
- Low humidity
- Stress
- Overheating
- Irritant/ allergen exposure
Clinical Manifestation
Acute
- Pruritic, erythematous patches and papules
| Age | Affected Areas |
|---|---|
| Infant | Extensor surfaces, trunk, face |
| Child, adult | Flexural creases |
Chronic
- Lichenified plaques
- Caused by repetitive scratching of irritated skin
Diagnosis
- Clinical
Treatment
- Topical emolients
- First line: topical corticosteroids
- Second line: topical calcineurin inhibitors
- Pimecrolimus