Eczema Center

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Atopic dermatitis - Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin disorders experienced by infants and children. Over 90 percent of cases are diagnosed before the age of five. Patients with AD suffer with chronic skin inflammation and itching that disrupt sleep and reduce quality of life. An estimated 17 percent of children in the United States have atopic dermatitis, a dramatic increase above pre-1960s levels. The reason for this increase is unknown, but mirrors the increased rates of asthma and requires greater study. Of additional concern, individuals who have active or dormant AD are at high risk for serious adverse reaction to the smallpox vaccine. The Committee encourages NIAMS to work with NIAID to spearhead an initiative to encourage investigator-initiated research on AD as it relates to smallpox vaccination as well as the progression to asthma and other allergic diseases.

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases, particularly in infants and children. The estimated prevalence in the United States varies from 9 to 30 percent. [1,2]
The prevalence of atopic dermatitis appears to be increasing. Health care provider visits for contact dermatitis and other eczemas, which include atopic dermatitis, are 7 million per year. [3].

1 - Matsumoto I et al. "Change in prevealence of allergic diseases in primary school children in Fukuoka City for the last fifteen years." Arerugi Apr 48(4):435-42.
2 - Schafer T. et al. "The excess of atopic eczema in East Germany is related to the intrinsic type." British Journal of Dermatology 143:992-998. 2000.
3 - CDC. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital and Health Statistics Series, 1996: Vol. 13, no. 134.