Alain Taieb

• Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux

Atopic dermatitis was described in 1933 but exists since antiquity. We review descriptions of a childhood skin disease compatible with our modern diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, in ancient medicine and in nineteenth century dermatology texts. We identify Hebra's prurigo and Besnier's diathetic prurigo as forerunners of atopic dermatitis, the latter...

The quest for clarifying the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis (eczema) has lasted for 25 centuries. Yearning to discern the primum movens of atopic dermatitis, physicians aimed to identify the curative therapy. Recent scientific efforts has brought to the light an ever-growing amount of interplaying pathophysiologic factors, including the epide...

Many dermatologists are uncomfortable with the prospect of administering phototherapy to children. We asked several physicians who prescribe phototherapy for the pediatric age group to discuss their indications, choice of modalities, and modus operandi.

Although atopic dermatitis can be treated efficiently, there is still much controversy about the risk/benefit ratio of both topical corticosteroids and topical immunomodulators. Conflicting data may be found about the usefulness of bathing, diet regulation, and other therapeutic interventions. These controversies result in part from the persistence...

Atopic dermatitis was defined in 1933. Earlier descriptions have yet not been thoroughly studied. Our purpose was to identify the first images of atopic dermatitis among historical illustrations of skin diseases. We posted 20 selected images on an Internet site and asked experts in pediatric dermatology to decide whether or not they represented ato...