• The natural history of AD is for this disorder to improve with age.

• A large percentage of children with AD will improve by age 5-7 years. However, a significant number will have life-long problems.

• About one-third of children with AD will go on to develop asthma or hay fever.

• Those who develop AD before 6 months of age have a greater chance of developing asthma by age 2.

• In adult life, relapses of AD are less frequent and severe.

• Adults with histories of childhood eczema may develop a type of chronic hand dermatitis secondary to exposure to irritants (soap and water) or solvents.

Factors associated with the early development of AD:

• elevated IgE levels in infancy

• peripheral blood eosinophilia at 3 months of age.

Factors associated with severity of AD:

• In general, cases that arise before 6 months of age will be more severe.

• Cases in which AD is associated with food allergy are generally more severe.

Factors associated with a long-term, poorer AD prognosis:

There are no distinctive prognostic tests for AD. However, the following are some indicators of long-term AD.

• Persistence of dry or itchy skin into adult life
• Widespread dermatitis in childhood
• Associated allergic rhinitis
• Family history of atopic dermatitis
• Associated bronchial asthma
• Early age of onset
• Female gender