Medical Condition Hub
Inflammatory
ICD-10: L20.9

Atopic Dermatitis

UpdatedFebruary 25, 2026

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory dermatosis characterized by epidermal barrier dysfunction, type 2–skewed immune activation, and intense pruritus with eczematous lesions. Disease expression varies by age and severity, with recurrent flares and a well-established association with atopic comorbidities including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy.

Why it matters: Atopic dermatitis affects tens of millions of individuals in the United States and is associated with substantial disease burden, including sleep disturbance, mental health comorbidity, and systemic inflammatory comorbidities. Moderate-to-severe AD often requires escalation beyond topical therapy, and the rapid expansion of targeted biologics and oral JAK inhibitors has significantly altered the treatment paradigm, requiring clinicians to remain current with evolving efficacy and safety data.

This hub consolidates expert commentary, continuing education, and the latest evidence on atopic dermatitis — from emerging therapies to practical management strategies — so you can deliver the best outcomes for your patients.

Diagnosis & Severity

Diagnosis

  • Clinical diagnosis based on chronic or relapsing pruritic dermatitis with age-specific morphology and distribution
  • Common features: xerosis, lichenification, excoriations
  • Supportive findings: personal or family history of atopy, elevated serum immunoglobulin E (nonspecific), peripheral eosinophilia
  • Differential diagnosis includes contact dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and scabies in select presentations

Severity Assessment

  • EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index)
  • SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis)
  • vIGA-AD (Validated Investigator Global Assessment for AD)
  • Body surface area (BSA) involvement
  • Patient-reported outcomes (POEM, pruritus NRS)

Treatment Stratification (General Framework)

  • Mild: Emollients, low-to-mid potency topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors
  • Moderate: Mid-to-high potency topical corticosteroids, topical PDE4 inhibitor (crisaborole), topical JAK inhibitor (ruxolitinib), phototherapy
  • Moderate-to-Severe: Biologic therapy (eg, dupilumab, tralokinumab) or oral JAK inhibitors (eg, upadacitinib, abrocitinib), with systemic corticosteroids reserved for short-term rescue/bridging only

Clinical Tools

Biologic Medications for Psoriasis, HS, AD, PN, CSU, and BP

Download our free biologics Quick Reference Chart for dermatology

JAK 1–3 & TYK2 Inhibitors in Dermatology

Download our free JAK/TYK2 Inhibitors for Dermatology Quick Reference Charts

Topical Non-steroidal Therapies

Download our free Quick Reference Chart for Topical Non-steroidal and Fixed Combination Therapies

Vaccines and Systemic Therapies

Download our free Quick Reference Chart for Vaccines and Systemic Therapies Chart

Insights & Commentary

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Durability Matters in Atopic Dermatitis: Thinking Beyond Short-Term Response
Feb 5, 2026Atopic Dermatitis

Durability Matters in Atopic Dermatitis: Thinking Beyond Short-Term Response

DM

Dawn Merritt, DO

Watch Video
More Than Skin Deep: Tackling Comorbidities in Atopic Dermatitis
May 1, 2025Atopic Dermatitis

More Than Skin Deep: Tackling Comorbidities in Atopic Dermatitis

EJ

E. James Song, MD, FAAD

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Continuing Education

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0.75 Credits

Charting the Course to Higher Targets With JAK Inhibition in Atopic Dermatitis

0.75 Credits

Illuminate the Role of IL-13 Inhibitors for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis

Literature & Cases