Atopic Dermatitis: A Review for the Primary Care Physician

Atopic dermatitis is a chronically relapsing dermatosis characterised by pruritus, erythema, vesiculation, papulation, exudation, excoriation, crusting, scaling and sometimes lichenification. Atopic dermatitis affects 10 to 20% of school-aged children. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis has increased two- to three folds over the past three decades in industrialised countries and there is evidence to suggest that this prevalence is increasing. The increase in prevalence may be due to increased access to medical care, improved recognition, better epidemiological reporting, or increased environmental allergens due to industrialisation and pollution. This book presents current research in the study of atopic dermatitis.