There are three classical stages of AD–infantile, childhood and adulthood–each of which may show acute, subacute and/or chronic skin reaction patterns. Acute dermatitis predominates in the infantile form, whereas chronic changes typify adult AD. Acute skin lesions of AD are intensely pruritic, erythematous, edematous papules and plaques, often with secondary excoriations. Vesicles, oozing and serous crusting are seen within affected areas. Subacute skin lesions appear as erythematous papules and plaques, with scaling and excoriations as secondary changes. Chronic AD is characterized by thickened, hyperkeratotic plaques with lichenification as well as prurigo nodularis. Postinflammatory hyper-, hypo- or (in more severe cases) depigmentation (Fig. 13.2) may be observed upon resolution of the lesions. Regardless of the stage, all AD patients experience pruritus, and the vast majority exhibit xerosis. Perifollicular accentuation or small, flat-topped …