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Atopic dermatitis in Child
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,External and Internal Eye
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Atopic dermatitis in Child

See also in: Cellulitis DDx,External and Internal Eye
Contributors: Azeen Sadeghian MD, Ryan Fan BA, Jeffrey M. Cohen MD, Sophia Delano MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a chronic, relapsing, pruritic condition. It is commonly recognized by a constellation of the following principle characteristics: (1) pruritus (itch); (2) facial and extensor involvement during infancy that changes to flexural involvement in late childhood; (3) a chronic relapsing course; and (4) a personal or family history of atopy (atopic dermatitis, food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and/or asthma).

Infants and children are most often affected, with 85% of cases appearing in the first year of life and 95% of cases appearing by 5 years. Uncommonly, the condition may persist into, or even arise in, adulthood. Less than 1% of adults are affected by atopic dermatitis.

In infants, the disease involves primarily the face, scalp, and torso. In children and adults, the disease usually involves chiefly the flexural aspects of extremities, but it may be more generalized. Children of African descent may present with an infantile distribution of lesions even later in childhood. Follicular patterns (ie, follicular eczema) are more common in darker skin phototypes. A lichen planus-like appearance has also been reported in persons with darker skin phototypes, due to lichenification and the difficulties in perceiving erythema in darker skin.

Atopic dermatitis may be categorized as follows:
  • Acute – erythema, vesicles, bullae, weeping, crusting
  • Subacute – scaly plaques, papules, round erosions, crusts
  • Chronic eczema – lichenification, scaling, hyper- and hypopigmentation
The cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown. Genetic and environmental predisposing factors exist. Multiple loci have been associated with atopic dermatitis. A family history of atopic dermatitis is common.

Intense pruritus is a hallmark of atopic dermatitis. Scratching leads to lichenification (skin thickening). Impaired barrier function increases transepidermal water loss and the risk of bacterial and viral cutaneous infections. Patients with atopic dermatitis are prone to impetiginization with Staphylococcus aureus. Secondary infections with herpes simplex virus (eczema herpeticum), molluscum contagiosum, Coxsackie virus, or vaccinia virus (eczema vaccinatum) can occur.

Patients with atopic dermatitis have difficulties in retaining skin moisture and suffer from xerosis (dry skin). Environmental triggers, such as heat, humidity, detergents / soaps, abrasive clothing, chemicals, smoke, and even stress, tend to aggravate the condition. Latex allergy and nickel allergy occur more often in persons with atopic dermatitis. Additionally, patients with atopic dermatitis have been found to be more likely to have positive patch test results to products commonly found in topical treatments, including cocamidopropyl betaine, wool alcohol / lanolin, and tixocortol pivalate. Allergy to eggs, cow's milk, or peanuts is common. There may be a relationship between atopic dermatitis and the development of aspirin-related respiratory disease.

Atopic dermatitis is increasing in the developed world. In the United States, about 10% of children may be affected by atopic dermatitis, but the majority of these cases are mild. Mild cases may improve in adulthood, although some may retain stigmata of dry or sensitive skin.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L20.9 – Atopic dermatitis, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
24079001 – Atopic dermatitis

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

  • Pityriasis rosea
  • Lichen simplex chronicus is composed of isolated hyperpigmented, leathery plaques, frequently seen on the posterior neck, genitals, and extensor forearms and lower legs. Xerosis and atopy may be exacerbating factors in this condition.
  • Nummular dermatitis (nummular eczema)
  • The impaired cutaneous barrier in patients with atopic dermatitis makes them more prone to both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis.
  • Molluscum contagiosum infections may flare atopic dermatitis in patients prone to eczema and present as numerous flesh to pink-colored dome-shaped papules, often on flank or flexural creases. Molluscum can trigger an eczematous dermatitis in children who have no history of atopic dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is also frequently encountered in atopic patients.
  • Scabies is also intensely pruritic, classically accentuated at night. Typical sites of involvement include the interdigital web spaces, axillae, wrists, belt area, buttocks, and feet. The pathognomic sign is the burrow.
  • Scaly plaques in tinea corporis are typically annular or arcuate. Tinea incognito may be mistaken for atopic dermatitis due to absence of scale and inflammation. Fungal elements can be demonstrated using a potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation.
  • Classic lesions in psoriasis are well-defined erythematous plaques involving the scalp and extensor elbows and knees with overlying silvery scale. In young children not yet potty-trained, groin psoriasis may present as well-demarcated pink plaques.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis tends to involve the scalp and groin in infants and has greasy scale as opposed to dry scale seen in atopic dermatitis. In teenagers, facial seborrheic dermatitis may present as yellow-white scale overlying the eyebrows and glabella or medial cheeks.
  • An atopic-like eczematous dermatitis may be observed in patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, selective IgA deficiency, Letterer-Siwe disease, hyper-IgE syndrome, and Netherton syndrome, as these conditions may display similar eruptions.

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Last Reviewed:03/22/2017
Last Updated:08/01/2023
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Atopic dermatitis in Child
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,External and Internal Eye
A medical illustration showing key findings of Atopic dermatitis : Bilateral distribution, Dry skin, Erythema, Excoriated skin lesion, Flexural distribution, Lichenified plaque, Thickened skin, Ocular pruritus, Pruritus
Clinical image of Atopic dermatitis - imageId=214627. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A close-up of follicular papules with scale.'
A close-up of follicular papules with scale.
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