BMJ 2006;332:584-588 (11 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7541.584
Clinical review
Atopic and non-atopic eczema
Sara Brown, specialist registrar in dermatolgy1,
Nick J Reynolds, professor of dematology1
1 Department of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, and Dermatological Sciences, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH
Correspondence to: N J Reynolds, head, School of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH N.J.Reynolds@ncl.ac.uk
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
Introduction
Atopic eczema is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition
associated with epidermal barrier dysfunction. This article
provides a summary of current knowledge on eczema and its management.
Sources and selection criteria
We used the following sources of information to write this review:
- PubMed search using the key words "atopic eczema", "atopic dermatitis", "incidence", "genetics", "pathogenesis", "treatment", and "management". We gave preference to original articles published in the past three years and recent review articles published in high impact journals
- Search of the following Cochrane Library databases: Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews; Database of Abstracts and Reviews of Effectiveness; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
- Personal archive of references.
How do we define atopic eczema?
Atopic eczema and atopic dermatitis are terms that have been
used synonymously (for a clinical definition see box), but a
review committee by the World Allergy Organisation has published
its recommended terminology (see fig 1).
1
View larger version (31K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Fig 1 Subgroups of dermatitis. Some patients may have a combination of . . . [Full text of this article] |
|
Why is eczema important?
Epidemiology
Pathophysiologywhat do we know?
Genetic factors in atopic eczema
How to treat atopic eczema
Conclusion

CiteULike
Complore
Connotea
Del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Technorati What's this?
Relevant Articles
-
Eczema in pregnancy
- Sophie Weatherhead, Stephen C Robson, and Nick J Reynolds
BMJ 2007 335: 152-154.
[Extract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
-
Educational programmes for young people with eczema
- Hywel C Williams
BMJ 2006 332: 923-924.
[Extract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
-
Managing atopic eczema
BMJ 2006 332: 0.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
-
Efficacy and tolerability of topical pimecrolimus and tacrolimus in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- Darren M Ashcroft, Paul Dimmock, Ruth Garside, Ken Stein, and Hywel C Williams
BMJ 2005 330: 516.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
-
Twice weekly fluticasone propionate added to emollient maintenance treatment to reduce risk of relapse in atopic dermatitis: randomised, double blind, parallel group study
- John Berth-Jones, Robert J Damstra, Stefan Golsch, John K Livden, Oliver Van Hooteghem, Fulvio Allegra, and Christine A Parker
BMJ 2003 326: 1367.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
-
Randomised controlled trial of short bursts of a potent topical corticosteroid versus prolonged use of a mild preparation for children with mild or moderate atopic eczema
- K S Thomas, S Armstrong, A Avery, A Li Wan Po, C O'Neill, S Young, and H C Williams
BMJ 2002 324: 768.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
This article has been cited by other articles:
-
Simpson, C. R, Newton, J., Hippisley-Cox, J., Sheikh, A.
(2009). Trends in the epidemiology and prescribing of medication for eczema in England. JRSM
102: 108-117
[Abstract]
[Full text]
-
Coureau, B., Bussieres, J.-F., Tremblay, S.
(2008). Cushing's Syndrome Induced by Misuse of Moderate- to High-Potency Topical Corticosteroids. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
42: 1903-1907
[Abstract]
[Full text]
-
Pengelly, T.
(2007). Review: An exploratory study into nurses' understanding and knowledge of children and young people with eczema. Journal of Research in Nursing
12: 585-586
-
Weatherhead, S., Robson, S. C, Reynolds, N. J
(2007). Eczema in pregnancy. BMJ
335: 152-154
[Full text]
-
Williams, H. C
(2006). Educational programmes for young people with eczema. BMJ
332: 923-924
[Full text]
Rapid Responses:
Read all Rapid Responses
- The diet in atopic eczema: what and when to recommend
- Silvia Salvatore, et al.
bmj.com, 25 Mar 2006
[Full text]