Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, affecting approximately 9.6 million children and 16.5 million adults in the US.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease, that is genetically pre-disposed and presents across the lifespan. AD used to be considered primarily a childhood disease. However, initial symptoms and diagnosis occur in childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Atopic dermatitis appears as a red, intensely itchy rash, that can occur anywhere on the body, and may present differently in infants, children and adults. Atopic dermatitis presentation can rapidly fluctuate and can vary based on geographic location and environment. People with eczema can get rashes anywhere that can ooze, weep fluid and bleed when scratched, which may make skin vulnerable to infection.

Itch is the most reported and most burdensome symptom, causing substantially reduced quality of life and sleep disturbances. Living with eczema, or being a caregiver, can be difficult and frustrating due to the relentless cycle of treating flares and the chronic nature of the disease. Since a large percentage of atopic dermatitis patients are very young children, safety and tolerability is a particularly important consideration in treatment selection.