RT Book, Section A1 Hardin, J. Matthew A2 Knoop, Kevin J. A2 Stack, Lawrence B. A2 Storrow, Alan B. A2 Thurman, R. Jason SR Print(0) ID 1181044032 T1 Atopic Dermatitis T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e YR 2021 FD 2021 PB McGraw-Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781260134940 LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181044032 RD 2024/11/12 AB Atopic dermatitis presents in three overlapping stages: infantile, childhood, and adult. Infantile begins after 2 months of age and is symmetrically distributed on the cheeks, scalp, neck, forehead, and extensor surfaces of the extremities. The lesions begin as erythema or papules, but with persistent itching and rubbing, they become thin plaques, exudative, and crusted. Childhood atopic dermatitis presents with flexural involvement. Other areas frequently involved are the face, neck, and trunk. The scratching induces plaque lichenification and potential for secondary infection. Adult atopic dermatitis is less specific but can present with a childhood-like distribution, papular lesions that coalesce into plaques, and chronic hand dermatitis. Uncontrolled atopic dermatitis can become a generalized exfoliative erythroderma. Differential diagnoses include seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, irritant or allergic contact dermatitis, nummular eczema, and scabies.