Atopic dermatitis (AD) or atopic eczema is a chronically relapsing skin disorder that begins in infancy and may continue into adulthood.

The incidence of AD has increased considerably over the last decades and it is currently estimated to be between 5-20% in children and 2-10% in adults.

AD is clinically characterized by eczema (reddish-scaly lesions) and it tends to occur more frequently on the face in infants and in the crook of the elbows, behind the knees and on the torso in children. This eczema can vary from being mild to more severe (exudation, crusting, lichenification, papules, microvesicles) or superinfected, but it is always intensely itchy and is often associated with other symptoms, primarily dry skin.