Atopic Dermatitis Quiz
Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free
Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Atopic Dermatitis test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Rashes
The skin is itchy and has scratches
Redness of the skin
Itchy
Symmetrical rash
My skin is dry
Rashes in areas of friction
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Atopic Dermatitis?
Allergic rashes. Risk factors include genetics, other allergic diseases, new skin products, and allergic foods. Childhood eczema cases can resolve by adulthood, but it can also occur in adults.
Typical Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis
- Itchy skin
- Itchy skin that gets worse at night
- Multiple areas of skin redness or red spots
- Thick, leathery skin
- Skin over the entire body is red
- Known food allergy
- Welts appear when skin is scratched or rubbed
- Family history of Asthma, Eczema, Allergic rhinitis or Allergic conjunctivitis
Diagnostic Questions for Atopic Dermatitis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have itchy skin?
- Does your skin get itchier at night?
- Do you have multiple red areas or spots on your skin?
- Do you have areas of rough or thick skin?
- Is your whole body red?
Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis
Treat flares early. Apply regular moisturizers at least three times a day, especially after bathing. Steroid creams help control inflammation. Severe cases may require wet dressings, steroid tablets, or light therapy.
Reviewed By:
Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS (Primary Care)
Dr. Nass received dual medical degrees from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University in Medicine and Science. He completed Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center with subsequent fellowships at Ventura, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, George Washington University, and University of California-Irvine. He holds faculty appointments at Keck School of Medicine of USC, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
Think you might have
Atopic Dermatitis?
Try a symptom check testHow Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Atopic Dermatitis quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Skin itching that worsens at night
- Skin is dark and hard
- Itch is mild
- Itching
- Scratching the skin
- Nighttime itch is worse
- Leathery skin
- Persistent, mild itch
- Itch
- A scratch
- Itch improves during the day
- Hard skin
- Itch is minor
- The skin is thick and rough
- My skin became harder
See full list
User Testimonials for Atopic Dermatitis
Female, Teens
Ubie helped by matching my symptoms to something that was a serious diagnosis. Apart from asking multiple questions it was quite accurate as the dermatologist had a similar analysis. My symptoms included itchy patchy skin with many red rashes, swelling, and irritated skin texture. My dermatologist finally diagnosed me with eczema.
(Feb 1, 2025)
Symptoms Related to Atopic Dermatitis
Diseases Related to Atopic Dermatitis
FAQs
Q.
Endless Itch? What Eczema Is & Your Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Eczema is a common, noncontagious inflammatory skin condition caused by a weakened skin barrier, immune overreaction, genetics, and triggers, leading to dry, itchy, inflamed patches and an itch scratch cycle. Relief is possible with daily thick fragrance free moisturizers applied right after short lukewarm baths, trigger tracking and reduction, and doctor guided treatments like topical steroids, calcineurin or PDE 4 inhibitors, or biologics, and you should seek urgent care for rapidly spreading redness, oozing, fever, severe pain, or blistering. There are several factors to consider, including how it is diagnosed and when to escalate care, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Weidinger S, Novak N. Atopic Dermatitis: Pathogenesis, Clinical Presentation, and Treatment. Allergy. 2021 Jan;76(1):24-38. doi: 10.1111/all.14582. Epub 2020 Nov 3. PMID: 32940212.
* Simpson EL, Paller AS, Siegfried EC, et al. Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis and current management. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022 Dec;36 Suppl 7:3-17. doi: 10.1111/jdv.18244. PMID: 36512613.
* Kim BS, Howell MD, Guttman-Yassky E. Topical treatments for atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2022 Mar;149(3):828-842. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.12.784. Epub 2022 Jan 10. PMID: 35026217.
* Guttman-Yassky E, Bissonnette R, Prens E, et al. Systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 Apr;86(4):947-964. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.07.037. Epub 2021 Jul 27. PMID: 34329618.
* Paller AS, Naidoo J. Recent advances in the understanding and management of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 Jan;10(1):15-26. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.08.053. Epub 2021 Sep 1. PMID: 34481075.
Q.
Skin Not Healing? Why Your Skin Is Inflamed and Medically Approved Tacrolimus Ointment Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. Persistent skin inflammation usually stems from eczema, a weakened skin barrier, repeated irritants, or infection, and medically approved tacrolimus ointment, a non steroid option for atopic dermatitis, calms the immune response and is often chosen when steroids are not enough or for delicate areas. See below for the step by step plan to repair the barrier, reduce triggers, use anti inflammatory therapy like tacrolimus under medical guidance, and recognize red flags such as spreading redness, severe pain, fever, or blistering that could change your next steps.
References:
* Reinke G, Rovey G, Dabbous TZ. Chronic inflammation and cutaneous wound healing: an update. Exp Dermatol. 2022 Jan;31(1):50-57. doi: 10.1111/exd.14418. Epub 2021 Oct 21. PMID: 35029312.
* Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. The skin barrier and its disorders. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2019 May;44(4):4-7. doi: 10.1111/ced.13746. Epub 2019 Mar 19. PMID: 29778713.
* Ruzicka T, Assmann T, Homey B. Topical calcineurin inhibitors: a comprehensive review of their mechanisms of action and clinical uses. Clin Ther. 2004 May;26(5):768-81. doi: 10.1016/s0149-2918(04)90150-1. PMID: 15155981.
* Gupta AK, Gover MD. Topical tacrolimus in inflammatory dermatoses: an update. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Jun;18(3):355-364. doi: 10.1007/s40257-017-0275-z. PMID: 28416041.
* Hon KL, Leung AK, Ching GK, Li CY, Chan GC, Lee YC, Cheung CK, Chu IM. A comprehensive review of tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Nov;7(6):835-48. doi: 10.1586/17512433.2014.966904. Epub 2014 Oct 2. PMID: 25425661.
Q.
Itch Won’t Stop? Why Your Skin Is Flaring & Medically Approved Eczema Treatment
A.
Eczema flares happen when a weakened skin barrier meets triggers like dryness, irritants, allergens, stress, sweat, and heat, and they can be controlled with daily thick moisturizers plus medically approved treatments such as topical steroids, non-steroid anti-inflammatories, antihistamines for sleep, wet wrap therapy, phototherapy, and biologic injections. There are several factors to consider, including which medicines fit each body area, safe application timing, lifestyle changes that reduce flares, and urgent warning signs, so see the complete, step-by-step guidance below to choose the right next steps.
References:
* Guttman-Yassky E, Bissonnette R, McLean WHI, et al. Atopic dermatitis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019;5(1):1. doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0063-8
* Weidinger S, Beck LA, Bieber T, et al. Atopic dermatitis: a disease of altered skin barrier and immune dysregulation. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(1):50-57. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.09.006
* Yosipovitch G, Bernhard JD. Clinical practice. Chronic pruritus. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(17):1625-1634. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1205468
* Silverberg JI, Guttman-Yassky E, Paller AS, et al. New and emerging systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(8):3010-3023. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2021.05.006
* Wollenberg A, Barbarot S, Bieber T, et al. Consensus-based European guidelines for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) in adults and children: part I. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(5):657-681. doi:10.1111/jdv.14891
Q.
Eczema Rash Won't Stop? Why Your Skin Is Flaring & Medical Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Persistent eczema flares often stem from a weakened skin barrier, hidden irritants or allergens, under-moisturizing, treatment that is not strong enough, infection, or stress; next steps include optimizing gentle skincare and trigger avoidance, and seeking medical care if not improving in 1 to 2 weeks or if there are infection signs, severe itch, spreading rash, or involvement of the face, eyes, or genitals, with options like stronger prescription topicals, phototherapy, or biologics.
References:
* Czarnowicki T, Eshtiaghi P, Gill R, Chen H, Singh B, Guttman-Yassky E. Mechanisms of flares in atopic dermatitis. F1000Res. 2017 Mar 21;6:326. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.10549.1. PMID: 28386348; PMCID: PMC5369280.
* Kim J, Kim BE, Leung DYM. Update on the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2019 Sep;11(5):604-613. doi: 10.4168/aair.2019.11.5.604. Epub 2019 Aug 20. PMID: 31448858; PMCID: PMC6720475.
* Ständer S, Luger T, Choy V, Chrostowska-Stefańska K, Thaçi D. New and Emerging Systemic Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis: A Review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2023 Mar;24(2):231-248. doi: 10.1007/s40257-022-00755-6. Epub 2022 Dec 14. PMID: 36517618; PMCID: PMC9959556.
* Saenz R, Eichenfield LF, Paller AS, Siegfried EC, Silverberg JI, Totri C, Taylor L. Practical Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Review for the General Practitioner. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Feb 1;21(2):160-167. doi: 10.36849/JDD.6449. PMID: 35133647.
* Honda T, Kabashima K. Role of skin barrier dysfunction in atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2022 May;149(5):1485-1492. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.03.012. PMID: 35508383.
Q.
Fire Under Your Skin? Why Your Body is Flaring and Next Steps for Eczema Relief
A.
Eczema flares can feel like fire under your skin because a weakened skin barrier and an overactive immune response cause intense itch, dryness, redness, and irritation, often triggered by dry air, heat and sweat, harsh or fragranced products, stress, allergens, illness, or hormones. Relief starts with daily thick moisturizers, gentle lukewarm bathing, trigger reduction, and doctor-guided anti-inflammatory treatments, while watching for infection warning signs and seeking care if symptoms persist or worsen. There are several factors to consider; see details below for specific trigger checklists, medication options including nonsteroidal creams and biologics, infection prevention steps, diet guidance, mental health support, and clear thresholds for when to seek urgent care.
References:
* Kim, J., Kim, B. E., & Leung, D. Y. M. (2020). Pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis: Clinical implications. *Allergy and Asthma Proceedings*, *41*(Suppl 1), S3-S7.
* Langan, S. M., et al. (2020). The role of environmental factors in the development of atopic dermatitis: A systematic review. *British Journal of Dermatology*, *182*(2), 269-281.
* Wollenberg, A., et al. (2021). EADV guideline for the management of atopic eczema: an update with special regard to systemic treatments and comorbidities. *Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology*, *35*(Suppl 2), e113-e113.
* Sidbury, R., et al. (2022). Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: Section 4. Treatment of atopic dermatitis with systemic therapies. *Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology*, *86*(6), 1056-1077.
* Eichenfield, L. F., et al. (2021). Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: Section 1. Introduction and assessment of atopic dermatitis. *Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology*, *84*(5), 1157-1181.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
David Boothe W, Tarbox JA, Tarbox MB. Atopic Dermatitis: Pathophysiology. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017;1027:21-37. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-64804-0_3. PMID: 29063428.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-64804-0_3Avena-Woods C. Overview of atopic dermatitis. Am J Manag Care. 2017 Jun;23(8 Suppl):S115-S123. PMID: 28978208.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/overview-of-atopic-dermatitis-articleKim J, Kim BE, Leung DYM. Pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis: Clinical implications. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2019 Mar 1;40(2):84-92. doi: 10.2500/aap.2019.40.4202. PMID: 30819278; PMCID: PMC6399565.
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ocean/aap/2019/00000040/00000002/art00003;jsessionid=33w1dgp0s22ko.x-ic-live-01Strathie Page S, Weston S, Loh R. Atopic dermatitis in children. Aust Fam Physician. 2016 May;45(5):293-6. PMID: 27166464.
https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2016/may/atopic-dermatitis-in-children/Ständer S. Atopic Dermatitis. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 25;384(12):1136-1143. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra2023911. PMID: 33761208.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMra2023911