Atopic dermatitis revisited

Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, relapsing dermatosis affecting infants and children, more common in urban areas. It is caused by a interplay of various factors likeatopy, genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, environmental factors and food allergies. Atopic dermatitis is believed to be a part of the ‘Atopic March’. The most widely accepted criteria for the diagnosis are those proposed by Hanifin and Rajka. The diagnosis can be supported by various laboratory tests like serum IgE levels, specific serum Ig E levels, Skin prick test, etc, but there is no laboratory gold standard for the diagnosis. Conventional treatment options include general measures, wet dressings, topical corticosteroids and antihistamines. Recently, topical calcineurin inhibitors, antibiotics and immunosupressants have been added to the treatment regimens. Treatment improves the quality of life of the patient and prevents complications but the disease tends to be chronic and relapsing.