Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease. It often
precedes the development of food allergy and asthma. Recent insights into AD reveal
abnormalities in terminal differentiation of the epidermal epithelium leading to a defective
stratum corneum, which allows enhanced allergen penetration and systemic IgE
sensitization. Atopic skin is also predisposed to colonization or infection by pathogenic
microbes, most notably Staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex virus. Causes of this …