assessing and managing atopic dermatitis (AD) in both adults and
children:
🔹 Assessment of Atopic Dermatitis
Clinical Features
• Pruritus: Essential diagnostic feature.
• Eczema-like lesions:
o Infants/children: Face, scalp, extensor surfaces.
o Older children/adults: Flexural surfaces (antecubital, popliteal
fossae), neck, hands.
• Chronic/relapsing course: Periods of flares and remission.
• Skin findings: Erythematous papules/plaques,
lichenification, excoriations, oozing, crusting.
• Xerosis: Dry skin is almost universal.
Diagnostic Criteria (Hanifin & Rajka or UK Working Party)
• Essential: Itching + chronic/relapsing dermatitis.
• Supportive: Early onset, personal/family history of atopy
(asthma, allergic rhinitis), elevated IgE, dry skin, flexural
involvement.
Severity Assessment Tools
• SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis) or EASI (Eczema Area and
Severity Index): Used in research/dermatology practice.
• Patient-reported outcomes: Itch severity, sleep disturbance, impact
on quality of life.
🔹 Management of Atopic Dermatitis
1. General Skin Care (Cornerstone of therapy)
• Daily use of thick emollients (ointments/creams > lotions).
• Short lukewarm baths/showers with gentle, fragrance-free cleansers.
• Immediate moisturization after bathing.
children:
🔹 Assessment of Atopic Dermatitis
Clinical Features
• Pruritus: Essential diagnostic feature.
• Eczema-like lesions:
o Infants/children: Face, scalp, extensor surfaces.
o Older children/adults: Flexural surfaces (antecubital, popliteal
fossae), neck, hands.
• Chronic/relapsing course: Periods of flares and remission.
• Skin findings: Erythematous papules/plaques,
lichenification, excoriations, oozing, crusting.
• Xerosis: Dry skin is almost universal.
Diagnostic Criteria (Hanifin & Rajka or UK Working Party)
• Essential: Itching + chronic/relapsing dermatitis.
• Supportive: Early onset, personal/family history of atopy
(asthma, allergic rhinitis), elevated IgE, dry skin, flexural
involvement.
Severity Assessment Tools
• SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis) or EASI (Eczema Area and
Severity Index): Used in research/dermatology practice.
• Patient-reported outcomes: Itch severity, sleep disturbance, impact
on quality of life.
🔹 Management of Atopic Dermatitis
1. General Skin Care (Cornerstone of therapy)
• Daily use of thick emollients (ointments/creams > lotions).
• Short lukewarm baths/showers with gentle, fragrance-free cleansers.
• Immediate moisturization after bathing.
