VIDEO: Differentiating atopic dermatitis from other skin conditions

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Many times we are not doing biopsies. We are doing them only when it's hard to differentiate and usually, typically these will be cases when a patient doesn't tell you that it's very itchy. You need to always question whether it's atopic dermatitis, because atopic dermatitis is associated with that intractable itch.

Many times it bothers patients from sleeping, particularly, of course, when they have it in many locations. If they have only one area, it's different than if you have it on the entire body. And also, sometimes you need to think about a fungal infection. You need to look at their nails, think about that. Nails, feet, and so on.

You ask them about history, if they had history in childhood, of course, it'll strengthen your conviction that it is atopic dermatitis. A family history. You need to ask about family history of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, other diseases. Important to bring into account all of these. And listen, when you're not sure, don't be shy. Take a biopsy.