How is atopic dermatitis diagnosed in children

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with cutaneous hyperreactivity to various environmental triggers including allergens, chemicals and infections. Atopic dermatitis is often the initial step in ‘atopic march’. Atopic dermatitis might be a cutaneous manifestation of a systemic disorder that also continues with food allergy and wheezing episodes in infancy period, and gives rise to asthma and allergic rhinitis. Severe atopic dermatitis is seen particulary in children with filaggrin (FLG) gene mutation and/or early beginning symptoms in high risky infants with a history of familial atopy. The diagnosis is based on the clinical findings, and an objective laboratory test does not exist. Therefore, it is important to determine the severity of atopic dermatitis with a validated clinical severity scoring index to predict both future development of allergic diseases and also possible fatal complications.