Atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Key Features: Atopic dermatitis is easy to diagnose but difficult to treat. An allergy workup with skin prick test, patch test, and atopy patch test should be considered in all but mild cases of atopic dermatitis. Liberal use of emollients is the basis of therapy for all atopic dermatitis patients. Topical corticosteroids are still the mainstay of atopic dermatitis therapy, but topical calcineu-rin inhibitors are used more and more frequently because they do not cause skin atrophy. The main goal in the management is the optimal control of inflammation. Newly diagnosed atopic dermatitis in elderly patients is suspicious for mycosis fungoides-skin biopsy must be considered. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.