Consumer’s Guide to Biologics for Atopic Dermatitis – Everyday Health

In general, dermatologists classify moderate atopic dermatitis as an outbreak of symptoms that affects about 10 percent of the surface area of your body, says Vij; severe atopic dermatitis affects about 30 to 40 percent. Not sure how much of your body is affected? Heres a rough way to estimate the number: The size of your palm is about 1 percent of your skin, so you count up the number of palm-sized areas that are affected, says Vij.

People with more mild atopic dermatitis for example, symptoms that dont affect very much of their body and arent too bothersome may be able to treat the condition with moisturizers or topical steroids during a flare, he says.

That said, theres no magic formula for determining whether your condition is mild, moderate, or severe, which is why dermatologists also take other factors into consideration.

Its also about the global burden of atopic dermatitis on someones quality of life, says Vij. For example, if your atopic dermatitis affects only a small area of your body, but that area is critical, such as your face, then you may want to consider a stronger medication, he says.

If people are having problems at school or work or with their relationships, whether its normal friend relationships or sexual relationships, then we know their skin is having a greater cumulative effect than what you can just see, Vij says.

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Consumer's Guide to Biologics for Atopic Dermatitis - Everyday Health