Atopic dermatitis beginning in adult life is not mentioned in the medical literature. In a review of 2604 patients attending a contact dermatitis clinic, 243 patients (9%) were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis which began for the first time at 20 years of age or older with no contact factors present. This compares with 213 patients (8%) who had atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Patients with purely atopic dermatitis had negative patch testing to relevant allergens and the diagnosis was based on a personal or family history of atopy as well as elevated IgE levels and multiple positive skin prick tests. A broad range of age of onset was found, as well as a female preponderance. The commonest sites of dermatitis were generalized involvement, dermatitis of the hands or eczema involving the face.
Two men are presented with a widespread persistent reticulate erythema concentrated within the chronically sun-damaged skin on their trunk. A fine papular element was present in one case and both lacked annular lesions. One patient was human immunodeficiency virus positive. Multiple skin biopsies showed an interstitial infiltrate of histiocytes containing multiple elastic fibres in the upper dermis. There was scant perivascular lymphocytic inflammation but no evident necrobiosis or palisaded granulomas seen typically with granuloma annulare. Elastic stains showed focal mid-dermal elastolysis. Diffuse reticulate erythema in sun-damaged skin may be a clinical marker for elastophagocytosis. This presentation differs from that previously described with actinic granuloma, diffuse granuloma annulare or the inflammatory phase of mid-dermal elastolysis and expands the clinical spectrum of this phenomenon.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.