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Adult‐onset atopic dermatitis
Author(s) -
Bannister Michael J,
Freeman Susanne
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-0960.2000.00442.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atopic dermatitis , dermatology
SUMMARY Atopic dermatitis beginning in adult life is not mentioned in the medical literature. In a review of 2604 patients attending a contact dermatitis clinic, 243 patients (9%) were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis which began for the first time at 20 years of age or older with no contact factors present. This compares with 213 patients (8%) who had atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Patients with purely atopic dermatitis had negative patch testing to relevant allergens and the diagnosis was based on a personal or family history of atopy as well as elevated IgE levels and multiple positive skin prick tests. A broad range of age of onset was found, as well as a female preponderance. The commonest sites of dermatitis were generalized involvement, dermatitis of the hands or eczema involving the face.