Atopic dermatitis is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory skin disease associated with pruritis that affects 20-30% of children and 2-10% of adults. Atopic dermatitis can have an acute, subacute, or chronic presentation. Atopic dermatitis is associated with a genetic predisposition for atopic dermatitis (family history of atopy) and environmental associations.  Its pathogenesis involves epidermal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and colonization with Staphylococcus aureus.

In this learning module, you will find a key point review on atopic dermatitis focused on epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, differential diagnosis and management.

To test your knowledge, we refer you to the associated Quiz (short answer format questions) and clinical vignettes simulating OSCE examinations.

1. Bolognia, J., Cerroni, L., & Schaffer, J. V. (2018). Dermatology.
2. Kang, S., Amagai, M., Bruckner, A. L., Enk, A.H., Margolis, D. J., McMichael, A. J., Orringer, J.S. (2019). Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology 9th edition.
3. Photo courtesy of DermNet NZ, “Atopic Dermatitis”.