Patient complains severe itching. Atopic skin has a very low itch threshold. Touch also gets converted to itch on inflamed skin. It may be red, flaky, sometimes oozing and covered with scabs. The skin is extremely dry.
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In infants, face, scalp, and the extensor surfaces of the limbs are affected. As the child grows older, the rash gets localized to the folds on the extremities, flaky dry skin may be seen behind the knees, thighs
and the neck area may appear dark. In many children it subsides as the patient grows older.
In adults, there may be severe thickening of the skin and dryness on the limbs and face. It can get aggravated on exposure to irritant substances.