Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
atopic dermatitis
Pronunciation: ay-TOP-ik der-ma-TY-tis
A chronic inflammatory skin condition commonly affecting infants and children, characterized by itchy, red, and scaly patches.
Full Definition
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease in pediatric patients. It typically presents in infancy with characteristic distribution patterns and is associated with a personal or family history of allergic conditions. The condition requires careful documentation of severity, triggers, and treatment responses in medical records. Editorial staff must distinguish this from other forms of dermatitis in clinical documentation.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify 'atopic' to distinguish from other types of dermatitis in pediatric contexts.
In Context
- "The patient's atopic dermatitis has shown marked improvement following implementation of the new moisturizing regimen." — Clinical progress note
- "Family history significant for atopic dermatitis in maternal grandmother and allergic rhinitis in father." — Medical history documentation
Also known as
eczema
infantile eczema
Don't confuse with
seborrheic dermatitis
contact dermatitis