Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition characterized by relapsing eczematous lesions in a typical distribution. It can be frustrating for pediatric patients, parents, and health care providers alike. The pediatrician will treat the majority of children with atopic dermatitis as many patients will not have access to a pediatric medical subspecialist, such as a pediatric dermatologist or pediatric allergist. This report provides up-to-date information regarding the disease and its impact, pathogenesis, treatment options, and potential complications. The goal of this report is to assist pediatricians with accurate and useful information that will improve the care of patients with atopic dermatitis. Pediatrics 2014;134:e1735-e1744Atopic dermatitis (AD), commonly referred to as eczema, is a chronic, relapsing, and often intensely pruritic inflammatory disorder of the skin. A recent epidemiologic study using national data suggested that the pediatric prevalence is at least 10% in most of the United States. 1 AD primarily affects children, and disease onset occurs before the ages of 1 and 5 years in 65% and 85% of affected children, respectively. 1 The number of office visits for children with AD is increasing. 2 Up to 80% of children with AD are diagnosed and managed by primary care providers, often pediatricians. 3 Although medical subspecialists, such as pediatric dermatologists and/or pediatric allergists, may be suited to provide more advanced care for children with AD, lack of a sufficient number of such physicians, particularly pediatric dermatologists, 4 likely means the burden of AD care will continue to fall to primary care providers. Although consensus guidelines and practice parameters regarding the management of AD in children have been published, 5-10 considerable variability persists in clinical practice, particularly regarding the roles that bathing, moisturizing, topical medications, and allergies play in management. Inconsistencies in opinion and treatment approach as well as the chronic and relapsing nature of AD can lead to frustration for the patient, family, and primary care providers when managing AD. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMNew data support the theory that AD results from primary abnormalities of the skin barrier, 11 suggesting that skin-directed management of AD is of paramount importance. This clinical report reviews AD and provides an up-to-date approach to skin-directed management that is based on pathogenesis. Effectively using this information to create treatment plans

Nickel is a ubiquitous metal added to jewelry and metallic substances for its hardening properties and because it is inexpensive. Estimates suggest that at least 1.1 million children in the United States are sensitized to nickel. Nickel allergic contact dermatitis (Ni-ACD) is the most common cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction worldwide. The incidence among children tested has almost quadrupled over the past 3 decades. The associated morbidities include itch, discomfort, school absence, and reduced quality of life. In adulthood, individuals with Ni-ACD may have severe disabling hand eczema. The increasing rate of Ni-ACD in children has been postulated to result from early and frequent exposure to metals with high amounts of nickel release (eg, as occurs with ear piercing or with products used daily in childhood such as toys, belt buckles, and electronics). To reduce exposure to metal sources with high nickel release by prolonged and direct contact with human skin, Denmark and the European Union legislated a directive several decades ago with the goal of reducing high nickel release and the incidence of Ni-ACD. Since then, there has been a global reduction in incidence of Ni-ACD in population-based studies of adults and studies of children and young adults being tested for allergic contact dermatitis. These data point to nickel exposure as a trigger for elicitation of Ni-ACD and, further, provide evidence that legislation can have a favorable effect on the economic and medical health of a population. This policy statement reviews the epidemiology, history, and appearances of Ni-ACD. Examples of sources of high nickel release are discussed to highlight how difficult it is to avoid this metal in modern daily lives. Treatments are outlined, and avoidance strategies are presented. Long-term epidemiological interventions are addressed. Advocacy for smarter nickel use is reviewed. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports US legislation that advances safety standards (as modeled by the European Union) that protect children from early and prolonged skin exposure to high–nickel-releasing items. Our final aim for this article is to aid the pediatric community in developing nickel-avoidance strategies on both individual and global levels.

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