Adult-onset atopic dermatitis

✍ Scribed by Michael J Bannister; Susanne Freeman

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 115 KB
• Volume: 41
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0004-8380
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-0960.2000.00442.x

✦ Synopsis

SUMMARY

Atopic dermatitis beginning in adult life is not mentioned in the medical literature. In a review of 2604 patients attending a contact dermatitis clinic, 243 patients (9%) were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis which began for the first time at 20 years of age or older with no contact factors present. This compares with 213 patients (8%) who had atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Patients with purely atopic dermatitis had negative patch testing to relevant allergens and the diagnosis was based on a personal or family history of atopy as well as elevated IgE levels and multiple positive skin prick tests. A broad range of age of onset was found, as well as a female preponderance. The commonest sites of dermatitis were generalized involvement, dermatitis of the hands or eczema involving the face.