Atopic dermatitis in resource-scarce settings

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin conditions; it affects approximately 10% of children.1 It is a chronic relapsing skin condition that starts early in life, persisting into adulthood, and it has a negative impact on patients and their caregivers. AD is a heterogeneous disease with many phenotypes. The presentation varies depending on age, geographical location, the type of inflammation, psychosocial stressors and ethnicity. The spectrum of the disease ranges from mild - manifesting as a few plaques, to severe -recalcitrant disease with secondary infection and erythroderma requiring admission.