Atopic Dermatitis and Other Dermatitis (Atopic Dermatitis)

This chapter focuses on atopic dermatitis (AD) and other dermatitis types in the elderly population, emphasizing their epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. AD is a chronic inflammatory skin disease whose prevalence and clinical characteristics differ significantly with age. In elderly individuals, physiological skin changes, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy complicate disease management. The chapter discusses the main immunological mechanisms underlying AD, including skin barrier dysfunction, Th2-mediated inflammation, and age-related immune alterations. It also reviews diagnostic challenges due to overlapping pruritic dermatoses and highlights both conventional and emerging treatment options such as topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, biologics, and JAK inhibitors. Additionally, other common eczematous disorders of aging—such as irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and xerotic eczema—are reviewed in terms of their pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and management strategies. Understanding these diseases within the context of geriatric dermatology is crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes and improving quality of life in elderly patients, who often face chronic pruritus, comorbidities, and functional limitations.