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. 2011 Jul;1(2):64-72.
doi: 10.5415/apallergy.2011.1.2.64. Epub 2011 Jul 28.

Current status of atopic dermatitis in Japan

Masutaka Furue  1 , Takahito Chiba, Satoshi Takeuchi
Affiliations

Current status of atopic dermatitis in Japan

Masutaka Furue et al. Asia Pac Allergy. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic or chronically relapsing, severely pruritic, eczematous skin disease. AD is the second most frequently observed skin disease in dermatology clinics in Japan. Prevalence of childhood AD is 12-13% in mainland Japan; however, it is only half that (about 6%) in children from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa. Topical steroids and tacrolimus are the mainstay of treatment. However, the adverse effects and emotional fear of long-term use of topical steroids have induced a "topical steroid phobia" in patients throughout the world. Undertreatment can exacerbate facial/periocular lesions and lead to the development of atopic cataract and retinal detachment due to repeated scratching/rubbing/patting. Overcoming topical steroid phobia is a key issue for the successful treatment of AD through education, understanding and cooperation of patients and their guardians.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Dose; History; Prevalence; Topical steroids.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Age distribution of outpatients with atopic dermatitis at the Branch Hospital, University of Tokyo.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Age distribution of atopic dermatitis in dermatology clinics. Report from the Japanese Dermatological Association (n = 6,733).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
In Japan, 5-g tubes are typically used in daily clinics. Larger tubes (100 g or 50 g) are more commonly used in Europe and the USA.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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