Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Volume 8, Issue 2 , Pages 81-86, June 2007

Atopic Dermatitis and Contact Dermatitis in the Emergency Department

  • Peck Y. Ong, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Clinical Immunology/Allergy, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
    • Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests and correspondence: Peck Y. Ong, MD, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 4650, Sunset Blvd, MS# 75, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
    • ,
  • Mark Boguniewicz, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Pediatric Allergy-Immunology, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO
    • Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO

Atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis are common dermatologic conditions that may be encountered in the emergency department (ED). Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with an undulating course characterized by remissions and exacerbations. Patients may present to the ED because of chronic disease or acute flares that fail to respond to routine treatments or because of secondary infections. The article reviews the ED management of exacerbations of atopic dermatitis as well as various common skin infections associated with this disorder, including specifically Staphylococcus aureus and eczema herpeticum. Although contact dermatitis can be chronic, patients usually present with acute symptoms. The article discusses the diagnosis and ED management of common types of contact dermatitis, including allergic and irritant chronic dermatitis, photodermatitis, and contact urticaria.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, Staphylococcus aureus, eczema herpeticum, emergency department, topical corticosteroid

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PII: S1522-8401(07)00023-7

doi:10.1016/j.cpem.2007.04.002

Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Volume 8, Issue 2 , Pages 81-86, June 2007

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