Atopic dermatitis is characterized by chronically itchy, superficially inflamed skin, often accompanied by allergic symp­toms such as hay fever and asthma. It also occurs in patients whose families have histories of allergies. The disease frequently occurs on the face and at or near the elbows and knees. Although atopic derma­titis is associated with allergies, the skin lesions do not have an allergic mechanism in most patients. Symptoms are commonly worse during the cold part of the year and are aggravated by contact irritants. In some people, skin symptoms appear to be aggravated in part by cer­tain foods or by exposure to inhaled allergens such as pollen.

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