Word parts
What it means
Eczema that tends to start in childhood and come and go in flares. The skin's barrier is weak, so it loses water and reacts to irritants. Patches are dry, red and very itchy, often in the creases of the elbows and knees in children, or on the face and cheeks in babies. It often runs in families with asthma and hay fever, a group called atopy.
For the nurse
Teach daily moisturizing right after a short lukewarm bath, mild soap, soft cotton clothing and keeping nails short to limit damage from scratching. Watch for skin infection.
At a glance
| Spanish | dermatitis atópica |
|---|---|
| Also written | atopic eczema |
Related terms
-itis
A word ending that means inflammation.
allergy
A reaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most people.
contact dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with a substance that irritates it or to which the person is allergic.