Skin Care For Atopic Dermatitis: What Is Atopic Dermatitis
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What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a long-lasting (chronic) skin condition that causes intense itching and then a red, raised rash 
. It usually develops in early childhood and continues into the teen years. Adults also may have it or have milder symptoms than they did as children, along with sensitive-skin problems.
If you have atopic dermatitis, your skin is very sensitive to irritants and is prone to becoming itchy and developing a rash. Scratching may seem to relieve the itch, but it often results in a rash and leads to a self-perpetuating cycle of itching, scratching, and rash.
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Skin care for atopic dermatitis
| Last updated: | May 16, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Randall D. Burr, MD - Dermatology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Terrina Vail |
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