Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease characterized by dry skin, scaling and recurrent itchy eczema attacks, which are frequently seen in children. Although most of the cases are diagnosed in the first 3 months of life, the disease starts before the age of 5 at a rate of 50%. The disease is clinically more severe in cases diagnosed in adulthood. After puberty, a decrease in the severity of the disease is expected. Atopic dermatitis is often seen together with other atopic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis, and allergic urticaria (hives). Many genetic, environmental and immunological trigger factors play a role in the etiopathogenesis of the disease.

Atopic dermatitis patients have dryness, scaling, redness, rough skin due to scratching, prominent skin lines and even open wound formation with discharge. In adult patients, eczema can be seen alone on the eyelid, nipple or hand. Dry skin is observed in the skin of individuals with atopic dermatitis as a result of a decrease in the water retention and moistening capacity of the upper skin (epidermis). As a result of chronic itching and pruritus, watery or crusted dry skin lesions are seen in some localizations that vary according to different age groups. Especially food allergies in children and inhalant (respiratory) aeroallergens cause disease in adults. Although the lesions occur as a result of itching, the incidence of some bacterial skin infections, especially staphylococcal aerius, has increased as a result of skin abrasions in patients, as the skin integrity is often disrupted. Due to itching, sleep and life quality deteriorates in patients and the psychology of the patients is negatively affected. Atopic dermatitis decreases intellectual school success in children, and disrupts working life in adult patients.

Since atopic dermatitis is a chronic and recurrent disease, treatment compliance is important in patients. Patients experience increased itching with sweating and woolen clothes, exacerbation with stress, increase in lesions in winter, tendency to skin infections when washing frequency decreases, skin dryness and eczema attacks increase when washing frequency is above normal. The use of alkali-based skin-drying soap, shampoo and color fragrance-additive shower gel should be avoided. Moisturizers are indispensable agents of treatment in individuals with atopic dermatitis. It is recommended to use moisturizers immediately after bathing when light skin is wet or moist. Topical cortisone creams with a potency suitable for the severity and localization of the lesions and the age of the patient are used for a short time during the attack period.