Recognizing Atopic Dermatitis in Practice and Differentiating From Other Skin Conditions
Panelists discuss how atopic dermatitis presents with red, scaly, itchy, dry, and inflamed skin and is commonly diagnosed in childhood, although it can occur at any age, with frequent flares and comorbid conditions like asthma and allergies.
Video content above is prompted by the following:
Mastering Atopic Dermatitis Treatment in Primary Care
Key Points on Atopic Dermatitis (AD)
- Clinical Presentation:
- Red, scaly, itchy, dry, inflamed skin
- Often involves face, trunk, extremities, and especially flexural areas
- Common in childhood but can occur at any age
- Chronic condition with repeated flares
- Associated findings: Dennie-Morgan lines, keratosis pilaris, hyperlinear palms
- Patient Demographics:
- Presentation varies by ethnicity:
- African American patients: More fibrotic/papular lesions
- Asian patients: May have psoriasis-like scaling
- Presentation varies by ethnicity:
- Comorbidities:
- Asthma, allergies, allergic rhinitis
- Often has familial occurrence
- Differential Diagnosis:
- Psoriasis: More silvery scale
- Seborrheic dermatitis: Greasy yellow scale (brows, nasolabial folds, scalp)
- Scabies: Papules in web spaces, umbilicus, axilla, breasts, genitals
- Pityriasis rosea: “Christmas tree” pattern
- Tinea corporis: Salmon-colored with annular/ring-like scaling
- Contact dermatitis: Often concurrent with AD due to home remedies
- Mycosis fungoides/cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: Important consideration in adults with “bathing suit distribution” rash unresponsive to AD treatments
Clinical Pearls
- Primary care providers are on the front lines of diagnosing AD
- Patient/family history and distribution pattern are key diagnostic factors
- Patients often have multiple concurrent conditions
- Consider mycosis fungoides in adults with treatment-resistant presentations
Recent Videos
Related Content
Lebrikizumab Demonstrates Efficacy, Safety in Patients With Skin of Color With AD
June 11th 2025Article
RAD 2025. Lebrikizumab improved skin clearance, itch, and pigmentation in patients with skin of color and atopic dermatitis, with strong safety data through 24 weeks, according to late-breaking data.
