Atopic dermatitis, commonly referred to as eczema, is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation, redness, and skin irritation.

Atopic dermatitis is a common condition that typically begins in childhood, but it can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is not contagious, so it cannot be spread from person to person.

Atopic dermatitis causes extremely itchy skin. Scratching causes the skin to be redder, swollen, cracked, “oozing” clear fluid, crusting, and scaling. Most people experience flares, a transient worsening in the severity of a disease, followed by remissions, a period during which the disease's symptoms lessen or disappear.
Researchers do not know what causes atopic dermatitis, but they do know that genes, the immune system, and the environment impact the condition.
Depending on the severity and location of the symptoms, living with atopic dermatitis can be difficult.
For many people, atopic dermatitis improves as they age, but for others, it can be a lifelong condition. Additionally, the appearance and location of the rash vary with age, but it can appear anywhere on the body. Patients with darker skin often experience darkening or brightening of the skin at the site of skin inflammation.
Although extensive research has been conducted on the cause of atopic dermatitis, its underlying cause remains unclear.

It is believed that atopic dermatitis is caused by a complex interplay of factors, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, immunological abnormalities, and abnormalities in the skin barrier function, which serves as a protective layer for the skin.