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The Onset of Atopic Dermatitis: Underlying Mechanisms

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Pharma-Nutrition

Part of the book series: AAPS Advances in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Series ((AAPS,volume 12))

Abstract

Eczema or atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic skin disease in children with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Atopic dermatitis often precedes asthma and allergic disorders, and several epidemiological studies provide evidence for the atopic march from AD, suggesting that AD is the starting point for subsequent allergic diseases. Most of the children develop AD before the age of 2 years, and usually AD starts during the first months of life. New insights into the pathophysiology of AD indicate that an impaired skin barrier function is strongly associated with AD, the development of asthma, and allergic disorders. However, it remains to be determined whether the development of AD is initiated by intrinsic skin barrier dysfunctions preceding altered microbial colonization of the skin resulting in skin inflammation. Further research into the etiology of AD is crucial for developing interventions in the prevention or the treatment of AD.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutricia Research, Uppsalalaan 12, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Alma J. Nauta

  2. Division of Pharmacology, UIPS, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Alma J. Nauta

  3. Department of Pediatrics, National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore

    Hugo van Bever

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  1. Alma J. Nauta
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  2. Hugo van Bever
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Correspondence to Alma J. Nauta .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

    Gert Folkerts

  2. Immunopharmacology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

    Johan Garssen

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© 2014 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists

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Nauta, A.J., van Bever, H. (2014). The Onset of Atopic Dermatitis: Underlying Mechanisms. In: Folkerts, G., Garssen, J. (eds) Pharma-Nutrition. AAPS Advances in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Series, vol 12. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06151-1_17

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