A follow-up study was done in 50 patients with atopic dermatitis over a time lapse of approximately 20 years. 31 patients (62%) continued to have atopic dermatitis, although usually in a less severe from. Severe atopic dermatitis in childhood, association with asthma and hay fever, presence of atopy in the family seem to indicate that atopic dermatitis will continue in adult age. Hay fever and a familial history of atopy are statistically significant risk factors.

In 22 children with dermatitis plantaris sicca no or insufficient arguments were found to relate the condition to atopy, contact allergy or mycologic infection. Successful therapeutic results with urea creams and salicylic acid ointments rather point to dehydration by external factors as an important cause.