Author(s):
Salavoura Katerina*, Laliotou Nikoleta and Xatzis Dimitrios
Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is the most frequent skin disease of childhood. It is characterized by a chronic recurrent inflammation of the skin accompanied by disturbing itching. The etiology is complex including the genetic defects of the epidermic barrier and of the innate immunity as well as environmental factors. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and laboratory investigation is supportive of the atopic predisposition being not always relative to the disease severity and natural history. Eczema is usually the first manifestation of the atopic symptoms starting the so called ‘atopic march’, being followed by allergic rhinitis and asthma.