In atopic eczema (AE) – colloquially called neurodermatitis – (synonyms: Asthmatic eczema; atopic dermatitis (AD); atopic dermatosis; atopic eczema; chronic constitutional eczema; dermatitis atopica; eczema – atopy; endogenous cradle cap; endogenous eczema; lichen simplex chronicus (here: minus variant of atopic eczema); prurigo besnier; ICD-10-GM L20.-: Atopic [endogenous] eczema) is a chronic or chronic recurrent (always recurring) disease of the skin.Atopic eczema (neurodermatitis) can be classified as follows:
- Extrinsic form – antibody-mediated sensitization to aeroallergens – allergens that come into contact with humans through the air, such as pollen – and/ or to food allergens.
- Intrinsic form – no sensitization detectable.
Frequency peak: the disease occurs predominantly in childhood (> 80% in the first two years of life). Infants may be affected as early as the first three months of life.
The prevalence of the disease is 1.5-3% in adults and 10-15% in preschool children (in Germany) – with an increasing tendency worldwide.
Course and prognosis: The course of the disease is either chronic or atopic eczema (neurodermatitis) progresses in episodes that can vary in length and severity. A possible complication of atopic eczema is infection with Staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex viruses in the scratched areas. Atopic eczema is often recurrent (recurring). It is associated with psychological distress.Atopic eczema may heal spontaneously (on its own). Comorbidities (concomitant diseases): Often atopic eczema is associated with other atopic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (allergic rhinitis associated with conjunctivitis), bronchial asthma and food allergy (15% vs. In patients with severe atopic eczema, the prevalence of food allergy is about 30%. Children who showed first skin symptoms of atopic eczema very early in life were significantly more likely to have food allergies in the following years.The following dermatological comorbidities were associated with atopic dermatitis compared to participants without atopic dermatitis (prevalence ratio/disease frequency ratio): Contact dermatitis (skin change triggered by skin contact with certain substances) (3.4%), hand eczema (4.6%), desiccation dermatitis (dehydration dermatitis) (2.2%), folliculitis (inflammation of a hair follicle) (2%), or port-wine stain (1.5%).
