Atopic dermatitis, once known as atopic dermatitis and genetic atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory, pruritic skin disease that is associated with genetic allergic qualities. Atopic dermatitis manifests as dry, itchy skin, often starting in infancy and childhood, and can be associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. In recent years, a correlation between atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis has been found, with atopic dermatitis manifesting in infancy, asthma in childhood, and pollen allergy in adulthood. Atopic dermatitis has become a global health problem, and international surveys have found a gradual increase in prevalence worldwide over the last 30 years or so, with a marked increase in developing countries. The prevalence in children in Europe and the United States is as high as about 20%, and the prevalence in Asian countries such as Korea and Singapore has also increased, with urban prevalence higher than rural prevalence. It is now believed that this may be related to environmental changes in the process of urbanization and industrialization. A survey in China in 1998 showed that the overall prevalence of atopic dermatitis among adolescents aged 6-20 years was 0.69%, and in 2002, the overall prevalence among urban children aged 1-7 years was 2.78%, with Beijing having the highest prevalence among the cities surveyed. The causes of atopic dermatitis are not fully understood and are mainly related to skin barrier dysfunction, immune abnormalities, genetics, and pruritus. Recent studies have found that disruption of skin barrier function is a major factor in the development of atopic dermatitis. Including scratching, Staphylococcus aureus infection and dust mites play an important role in the development and progression of the disease, and these factors can interact and influence each other, leading to a vicious cycle of the disease. Adverse emotions such as stress, anxiety and depression can trigger or aggravate the disease. Atopic dermatitis has different characteristics at different ages and can be divided into infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Infantile eczema first appears on the cheeks and rash, which may extend to the scalp, neck, extremities and trunk. The itching is intense and often causes crying and sleep disturbance in infants. Most of them resolve gradually within 2 years, but a few may continue to progress into childhood or even adulthood. The lesions often involve the elbow fossa, N fossa, wrist flexion, neck side, face and eyelids (called “four bends of wind”), and are characterized by dry, flaky and hypertrophic lesions with scratches and scabs. The lesions may extend into adulthood or heal temporarily, but may recur. Adolescents and adults may develop from childhood or have direct onset of the disease, which usually occurs in the elbow fossa, N fossa, anterior and lateral parts of the neck, and also on the face and eyelids. The lesions are similar to those of childhood, with chronic changes that may be generalized in severe cases. Patients develop pronounced pruritus, which can be triggered by warmth, sweating, woolen clothing, etc. Paroxysmal itching can occur at night. As a result, a vicious cycle of “itching-scratching-itching” often occurs, resulting in a long-lasting disease. Because of the lack of understanding of atopic dermatitis in the past, and because atopic dermatitis is easily confused with eczema, many patients diagnosed with chronic eczema are in fact atopic dermatitis. Patients can have a family history of atopic diseases (atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma). The Williams criteria are now commonly used clinically to make the diagnosis: pruritus, plus 3 or more of the following: 1. onset before 2 years of age 2. history of flexural skin eczema (including elbow fossa, N fossa, anterior ankle, neck, and cheeks in children under 10 years of age) 3. history of generalized dry skin 4. flexural skin eczema (visible on cheeks, forehead, and distal extremities in children under 4 years of age) 5. personal history of asthma or allergic rhinitis History of asthma or allergic rhinitis (history of atopic disease in parents or siblings of children under 4 years of age) The principles of disease treatment are to restore the normal barrier function of the skin, to find and remove triggering and aggravating factors, and to reduce or relieve symptoms. Therefore, emolliency and moisturization of the skin is very important. In addition, patients and their families should recognize that atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease and should be managed for the long term. Although much research has been done both domestically and internationally, there is still no “root cause” solution. It has been found that early treatment of atopic dermatitis can prevent or reduce the occurrence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in the future. You should pay attention to loose and comfortable clothing, preferably cotton products, and low or no collar clothes for infants. Maintain proper indoor temperature and humidity as well as a clean living environment to reduce dust mites, animal hair, pollen and other allergens. Avoid tension and anxiety. Cut nails regularly and avoid scratching, especially admonish children not to scratch. Insist on a warm bath every day, and recommend a tub bath with water temperature at 27-30°C for 5 minutes each time. Do not rub the bath, use cleaning products as little as possible to avoid further damage to the skin barrier, and apply moisturizers or emollients immediately after washing. At present, topical glucocorticoids are the first choice of treatment at home and abroad, together with moisturizing and emollient. Patients and their families should not be discouraged by “hormones”, as reasonable topical hormones can quickly control the disease, reduce recurrence and aggravation and shorten the course of treatment. In order to avoid the side effects of long-term topical hormone use, calcium phosphatase inhibitors have emerged in recent years, including tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream, which can be used on the face and neck and other thin and tender areas, and are also suitable for children. Long-term use is safe and can be associated with local irritation and burning. Antihistamines, such as loratadine and cetirizine, can also be taken for patients with pruritus symptoms.