It is a difficult task to find out single aggravating factors in chronically continuing atopic dermatitis patients from many candidates such as psychological stresses, infections, seasonal effects, allergies and others. We tried it in newly developed dermatitis including atopic dermatitis with hope that determination of a single factor might be possible.
We collected 110 cases who might have developed atopic dermatitis for the first time, and age, the month of appearance, the skin of first lesion appearance, family history, previous history, occupation, housing, food, life style, air and skin environment, physical and psychological environment were recorded. The results were evaluated in relation to clinical symptoms. During the 3 months before the development of dermatitis, moving to the new house was seen in 10.9%, change of living place in 21.8%, bad physical condition in 21.8%, shortage of sleep time in 47.3% and overwork in 30.9%.
Important factors related to the first appearance of dermatitis including atopic dermatitis were chemical skin irritation (such as detergents, cosmetics, hair shaving and sweating), psychological stresses, cedar pollen allergy and something associated with housing. (Online only)
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