Disease Progression—the Allergy March

Atopic dermatitis (AD) may be caused by a range of food-borne, inhaled, or contact allergens.¹ In approximately 40% of infants and young children with AD, food allergen sensitivities are the cause.² In these young patients, the allergens most often associated with AD include cow’s milk, egg, wheat, soy, and peanut.^2-4

Characteristic signs and symptoms of pediatric AD include¹:

• Intense pruritus

• Skin reactivity

• Scratching that increases at night

In addition to the above symptoms, AD has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s quality of life and that of his or her family, most notably sleep disturbances and depression.⁵ In addition, AD in young children offers a strong signal of future disease. It is often the first sign of a lifelong predisposition to allergy,¹ and nearly 80% of children with AD go on to develop allergic rhinitis or asthma.²

AD facts and figures

• Atopic dermatitis is estimated to affect 17%-20% of children in the United States and other westernized countries²

• Approximately 50% of children with AD develop symptoms in the first year of life¹

• Skin reactions like eczema may persist or evolve into other sensitivities as the child is exposed to additional allergens⁶

• Approximately 40% of infants with atopic dermatitis may develop asthma by the age of 3 to 4 years⁷

Why you should know the true cause
In suspected atopic dermatitis, differentiating between allergic and non-allergic etiologies can change your management approach.¹ Confirmed knowledge of underlying atopic disease allows the incorporation of avoidance measures and other allergy-based therapies,¹ which can aid both acute symptoms and long-term outcomes.⁷ Click here to learn how specific IgE testing may help you accurately diagnose and manage atopic dermatitis.