URMC / Encyclopedia / Content Search Encyclopedia Take the Atopic Dermatitis Quiz Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition marked by inflamed and itchy skin. It can be inherited, and it affects millions of Americans. The following quiz, based on information from the National Institutes of Health, offers helpful facts about the condition. 1. People who have atopic dermatitis may also be more likely to have: You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is "Atopic" refers to a group of conditions that can run in families and usually occur together. These include asthma, hay fever, and atopic dermatitis. This is known as the "atopic triad." Children who outgrow atopic dermatitis may later develop seasonal allergies or asthma. Atopic dermatitis does not cause asthma or allergies, however. A. AsthmaB. AllergiesC. AcneD. A and B 2. Which group of people is more likely to develop atopic dermatitis? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is About 65% of people with atopic dermatitis develop symptoms in the first year of life. Nearly 4 in 5 (85%) develop symptoms before the age of 5. Atopic dermatitis can go into permanent remission by the time a child reaches adulthood. But in about half of the cases, it continues into adulthood. Occasionally, it shows up for the first time later in life. In adults, atopic dermatitis can show up after the skin is exposed to harsh conditions. A. Infants and young childrenB. TeenagersC. Adults 20 to 49D. Older adults 3. One detail about atopic dermatitis is: You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is When the condition worsens, that period is called a flare or exacerbation. When it improves or clears up entirely, that period is called a remission. In some people, this cycle of flares and remissions may be seasonal in very hot or very cold weather. A flare can be caused by an irritant or an allergen. A. It affects the face more than the rest of the bodyB. It can leave pockmarks on the skinC. It cycles through periods of flares and remissionsD. It is worse in autumn 4. Atopic dermatitis is also often called: You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Eczema is a general term for many types of dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Acne is a different kind of skin disease. Pimples are a symptom of acne. Like eczema, psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, but it is caused by a different disorder of the immune system. A. AcneB. EczemaC. PsoriasisD. Pimples 5. Triggers that may make this condition worse include which of these? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Certain triggers can make this condition worse. For example, stress, hot or cold temperature, dry conditions, certain fabrics, metals, or detergents can cause a flare-up. A. StressB. Hot or cold temperatureC. Dry conditionsD. All of the above 6. Which is a symptom of atopic dermatitis? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Symptoms vary from person to person. Other symptoms include cracks behind the ears and a rash on the cheeks, arms and legs. Scratching and rubbing the skin make the condition worse. The other answers are symptoms for other types of eczema. A. Blisters on the palms of hands and soles of feetB. Itchy, inflamed skinC. Scaly patches of skin on the scalpD. Coin-shaped patches of irritated skin on the arms and lower legs 7. Some people with atopic dermatitis develop: You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Thick, leathery skin, called lichenification, can develop because of constant scratching and rubbing. Red, scaly skin can develop when the immune system in the skin becomes over-activated. A. Thick, leathery skinB. Red, scaling skinC. Small raised bumps on the skinD. All of the above 8. The skin of a person with atopic dermatitis is more susceptible to: You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The epidermis, or outer layer of skin, is divided into 2 parts. The inner part contains moist, living cells. The outer part contains dry, dead cells. For a person with normal skin, the outer part acts as a barrier, protecting the inner layer from damage. The skin of a person with atopic dermatitis loses too much moisture. This reduces its protective abilities. It is more vulnerable to certain infections. People with eczema are more likely to have a severe and possibly life-threatening reaction to smallpox vaccination. Those with eczema also can develop eczema herpeticum, a herpes infection in the skin that can be life-threatening. A. Skin infectionsB. Warts (Molluscum contagiosum)C. Herpes simplexD. All of the above Your score was: Medical Reviewers: Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN Lehrer, Michael, MD Watson, L Renee, MSN, RN