Young & Crusty

1. A 4-year-old boy presents with erythematous, oozing, excoriated plaques on the cheeks and chin (sparing the nose), trunk, and extensor surfaces of the arms and legs. His parents report that the “rash,” which flares on occasion, has been apparent since the boy was 6 months old, and he does anything he can to scratch the itch.

^{IMAGE NUMBER: SR1702 LICENSE: RIGHTS MANAGED Credit: Dr Harout Tanielian / Science Source}

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) is made by age 5 in 85% to 90% of children who develop the disease, and by age 1 in 60% to 65%. AD persists into adulthood in up to one-third of patients. Although the cause is unknown, AD may be triggered by viral infections, food allergens, or weather, and in turn may trigger an inflammatory progression known as atopic march. Other factors affecting AD development include genetics and hygiene.

For more information:

“A Practical Overview of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis, Part 2: Triggers and Grading.” Cutis. 2016;97(5):326-329.

“A Practical Overview of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis, Part 3: Differential Diagnosis, Comorbidities, and Measurement of Disease Burden.” Cutis. 2016;97(6):408-412.