Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis

Common symptoms of atopic dermatitis include dry, itchy skin; small, rough bumps on the face, upper arms, and thighs; and a red, scaly rash. Itching can make symptoms worse, especially at night, when conscious itching cannot be controlled. Possible symptoms of atopic dermatitis are also found in people who do not have the condition or who have other types of skin disorders.

Atopic Dermatitis Information

Common Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis

The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis are dry, itchy skin and rashes on the face, inside the elbows, behind the knees, and on the hands and feet.

Scratching and rubbing in response to itching will:

Irritate the skin
Increase inflammation
Increase itchiness.

Itching is a particular problem during sleep, when conscious control of scratching is lost.

Skin that is affected by atopic dermatitis may appear:

Red and scaly
Thick and leathery
Covered in small, raised bumps
To leak fluid
Crusty and infected.

Other Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis

Other symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:

An extra fold of skin that develops under the eye
Inflammation of the skin on and around the lips
Increased number of skin creases on the palms
Eyelids that have become darker in color from inflammation or hay fever
Dry, rectangular scales on the skin
Small, rough bumps, generally on the face, upper arms, and thighs
Thick, leathery skin resulting from constant scratching and rubbing
Small, raised bumps that may open when scratched and become crusty and infected
Hives (red, raised bumps) that may occur after exposure to an allergen, at the beginning of flareups, or after exercise or a hot bath.

(Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis Continued: Page 2)