Evolution of Atopic Dermatitis

Pathogenesis of eczema

“…Hchenified dermatitis over time [3]. The distribution of the rash typically varies with age [4]. involving the cheeks and extensor surfaces of the arms and legs in the young infant and then moving to the flexor surfaces, neck, wrists and ankles in the young child, with lichenification being a more prominent feature.…”

Sulzberger on Atopic Dermatitis

“…In collaboration with HiII, 23 Sulzberger traced the evolution of atopic dermatitis from the acute, vesicular eczema of infancy to the thickened, chronic lichenified dermatitis of early adult life. Three stages were clearly delineated: (1) infantile eczema of the atopic type, (2) atopic dermatitis of childhood (2-12 years); and (3) atopic dermatitis (disseminated neurodermatitis) of the adult.…”

Topical Podophyllin Therapy With Special Reference to Lichen Chronicus (Simplex) Circumscriptus (Neuro-Dermatitis Circumscriptus, Lichen Vidal)

“…It is believed by some (Hill and Sulzberger, 1935) that circumscribed neurodermatitis is different from and apparently unrelated to atopic or disseminated neurodermatitis, from which the characteristic appearance, localization and the absence of other findings of atopy appear to distinguish it (Sulzberger and Wolf, 1952 ;Behrman, 1952). O'Leary (1936) felt that the term " lichen simplex chronicus ", as employed by Cleveland (1936), was preferable to neurodermatitis, which was used loosely for atopic eczema, dermatoses of psychic or neurogenic origin and for true neurogenic diseases.…”