It can occur at any age but is most common in infants to young adults. Approximately 10 percent of infants and 3 percent of the U.S. population overall suffer from atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis usually improves in childhood or sometime before the age of 25, but some suffer with the disease throughout life. It is not contagious. The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown and identifying the factors that cause and exacerbate the disease is different for each person.
Atopic dermatitis can be hereditary or simply caused by a variety of every-day conditions.
Irritating factors in soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, certain types of clothing, and dyes or perfumes can worsen this condition. Stress, dry skin, heat and sweating, low humidity, or allergies can also be irritants. Food allergy is proven as a cause in fewer than 10 percent of children. Common allergy-causing foods are eggs, milk, seafood, nuts, wheat and soy. The most common symptom is a very itchy, burning rash.