Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation, itchiness, and irritation. It’s important to note that atopic dermatitis is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from one person to another. The term “dermatitis” refers to inflammation of the skin, while “atopic” indicates a predisposition to develop other allergic conditions like asthma and hay fever.
In individuals with atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes intensely itchy, leading to scratching, redness, swelling, and the oozing of clear fluid. Over time, this can result in crusting and scaling of the affected areas. The disease typically follows a pattern of exacerbations (worsening symptoms) and remissions (improvement or clearance of symptoms). While some children may outgrow atopic dermatitis as they age, others may continue to experience symptoms into adulthood, though the severity can vary.
Atopic dermatitis is often referred to as “eczema,” which is a broad term encompassing various types of skin inflammation. Among the different types of eczema, atopic dermatitis is the most common and shares similar symptoms with other forms of the condition.