ATOPIC DERMATITIS

DESCRIPTION OF MINOR CRITERIA

5. Tendancy to skin infections
    There is evidence to suggest that AD patients have a deficiency in cell-mediated immunity. One manifestation of this is that their skin often becomes secondarily infected with Staphlocccus aureus (S. aureus). When this occurs it has the appearance of golden crusts on top of the excoriated papules and plaques. This infection may be accompanied by marked lymphadenopathy.