What are the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis?
The most obvious symptoms of atopic dermatitis are intense itching, along with red, dry skin that is sometimes scaly. Infants – Children less than one year old often have atopic dermatitis widely distributed over their body. The skin is usually dry, scaly, and red. The baby may scratch the skin, leading to scratch marks. The cheeks of infants are often the first place to be affected. The diaper area is frequently spared because the moisture retained by the diapers prevents the skin from drying. Toddlers – As children reach 2 to 3 years old, atopic dermatitis becomes more localized to areas such as the outer part of the joint, including the front of the knees, outside elbows, and top of the wrists. Older children are also more capable of a vigorous scratch, creating very red and inflamed areas.
