Atopic dermatitis is a type of skin disease known as eczema. It commonly begins in the first year of childhood and may reduce as the child grows up. Sometimes some adults may also get flares of atopic dermatitis. You may develop scaly patches on the skin with an itching sensation.

The common symptoms of atopic dermatitis are as follows: dry and scaly skin; redness; itching; cracks behind the ears; rashes on cheeks, arms or legs; open, crusted or weepy sores; and pus filled patches on the skin.

The common causes of atopic dermatitis are as follows: exposure to allergens triggers inflammation on the skin; a mutation in the genes produces a protein filaggrin which usually protects the skin from dryness and infections; and·if one of the parents has hay fever, asthma or atopic dermatitis, the child may have atopic dermatitis.

There are no specific tests to diagnose atopic dermatitis. Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist who will diagnose based on his observations and examination of your skin. If you observe that a particular allergen is causing the rash, then your doctor may advise allergy testing.

The treatment for atopic dermatitis is as follows: ointments, creams, lotions or solutions to moisturise the skin; application of steroids or anti-inflammatory agents to the skin; application of a wet dressing or cloth over the area on which moisturiser or medication is applied; oral antiallergics; Vitamin D pills; and vaccination with allergy shots.