Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2005 Mar;15(1):44-52.

An Investigation into the Actual Condition of Outbreak and Treatment in Atopic Dermatitis

• Rhim JW
• Moon KS
• Kong DY
• Pyun BY

Abstract

PURPOSE
Social concern about atopic dermatitis is increasing these days, and there is much informations from the mass media. However, we have difficulties to diagnose and treat atopic dermatitis because there is no general guideline. So these studies were done to help establish guidelines for proper diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: The authors made up a questionnaire consisting of symptoms, environment, birth, diet, family history, previous treatment and common knowledge about atopic dermatitis. We studied moderate to severe atopic dermatitis patients, from February to August, 2003, using a survey containing 40 questions. We tested serum total IgE, specific IgE (Pharmacia, uni CAP), skin culture, complete blood counts, AST/ALT, and IgA. RESULTS: In our study results, the onset of atopic dermatitis, which was over moderate, was averaged 13 months after birth, and the earliest onset was 1 week after birth. The locations of skin lesion were lower extremities, face, buttocks, neck, and body, according to frequency. The most common type of housing was apartments. Many were getting breast milk feeding, had family members who smoke and most had no pets. Regardless of the severity of clinical manifestations, many patients did not have allergic tests and took just oriental medicine. Secondary infections were more common in patients who had fewer baths. CONCLUSION: Therefore the education of patients and their parents about etiology and progress of atopic dermatitis is needed. And for pediatricians, a general guideline of diagnosis and treatment needs to be established.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Skin infection; Education

MeSH Terms

Baths
Blood Cell Count
Buttocks
Coinfection
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Diagnosis
Diet
Education
Housing
Humans
Immunoglobulin A
Immunoglobulin E
Lower Extremity
Mass Media
Medicine, East Asian Traditional
Milk, Human
Neck
Parents
Parturition
Patient Education as Topic
Surveys and Questionnaires
Skin
Smoke
Immunoglobulin A
Immunoglobulin E
Smoke