Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Barrier failure and type 2 inflammation; diagnosis, severity scores, topical steroid ladder, infection complications including eczema herpeticum, and when to move to phototherapy, dupilumab, JAK inhibitors or other systemic therapy.
Tier 1Condition
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- A chronic, relapsing, itchy dermatitis from skin barrier failure and type 2 (Th2) inflammation. Affects up to 1 in 5 Australian children and about 1 in 10 adults.
- Diagnosis is clinical. Severity is measured with EASI (clinician) and POEM or DLQI (patient).
- Treatment is a ladder: emollients and soap substitutes, then topical corticosteroids used in adequate amounts, then phototherapy or systemic therapy.
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Sources
- Therapeutic Guidelines: Dermatology (atopic dermatitis)AU/NZTherapeutic Guidelines Limited, Version 5, 2022 (no newer edition found, November 2026)
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis), patient information and eczema action planAU/NZAustralasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), content updated June 2024
- PBS Medicine Status: dupilumab (Dupixent) for severe atopic dermatitisAU/NZAustralian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (PBS), Listed 1 September 2025; paediatric (6 months to 11 years) extension not recommended July 2026
- PBS Schedule: tacrolimus 0.1% ointment (aZematop), item 15542BAU/NZAustralian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (PBS), Authority Required, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, flare treatment (checked November 2026)
- Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in adults with phototherapy and systemic therapies (Davis DMR et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2024)American Academy of Dermatology, 2023 guideline with 2025 focused update (lebrikizumab, nemolizumab)
- Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in adults with topical therapies (Sidbury R et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2023)American Academy of Dermatology, 2023
- Ytterberg SR et al. Cardiovascular and cancer risk with tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis (ORAL Surveillance). N Engl J Med 2022;386:316-26New England Journal of Medicine, 2022
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Personal emails, About story and Australian-style copy