Atopic Dermatitis Knowledge Centre
- Overview
- Signs & symptoms of atopic dermatitis
- Area of the body commonly affected by atopic dermatitis
- Diagnosis
- Assessment
- General Management
- Education
Management
Signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis
The specific combination of signs and symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis varies from person to person. However, patients will usually suffer from dry, erythematous skin, with pruritus being a core symptom of the condition.
Images of erythematous skin
The signs and symptoms of the disease are listed below, although it is important to note that many of these are not exclusive to atopic dermatitis and can be seen in other skin conditions (see ‘Diagnosis’ under the Management section of this website).
| Sign/symptom | Appearance/sensation |
|---|---|
| Pruritus | Itching which may be so severe that it leads to an overwhelming urge to scratch affected areas |
| Erythema | Reddened skin |
| Xerosis | Dry skin |
| Papules | Small raised bumps on the skin |
| Cheilitis | Inflamed areas on and around the lips |
| Ichthyosis | Dry, rectangular scales on the skin |
| Lichenification | Areas of toughened, leathery skin |
| Hyperlinear palmS | Increased number of skin creases on the palms |
| Urticaria (hives) | Raised, red bumps that may appear after exposure to an irritant |
| Dennie-Morgan fold/atopic pleat | Extra fold of skin seen under the eye |
| Orbital darkening | Areas around the eye and eyelid become darker in colour |
Likewise, there is no consistent pattern of initial disease presentation and progression, although some locations of the body are more commonly affected than others. In infants, the disease often first presents as a rash on the face, before extending to the arms and legs, particularly as the child becomes more mobile. Older children and adults may first notice red uncomfortable areas of skin behind the knees and/or on the inside of the elbow, or on the neck, mouth, wrists, ankles and/or hands. The skin around the eyes and eyebrows can also be affected. The figure below highlights the areas of the body commonly affected. However, it is worth noting that a disease flare is not restricted to the areas of the body shown
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Disclaimer:
The Atopic Dermatitis Knowledge centre contained within www.epgonline.org and available at www.atopicdermatitisinfo.org is intended to be for educational use only and not designed to provide medical advice or professional services.