atopic dermatitis

noun

: a chronic, eczematous skin condition that primarily affects children, is marked especially by intense itching, inflammation, and xerosis, and occurs chiefly in those with a personal or familial history of atopy
The hallmarks of atopic dermatitis are a chronic, relapsing form of skin inflammation, a disturbance of epidermal-barrier function that culminates in dry skin, and IgE-mediated sensitization to food and environmental allergens.Thomas Bieber, The New England Journal of Medicine
abbreviation AD

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Cite this Entry

“Atopic dermatitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/atopic%20dermatitis. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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