Atopic dermatitis. Dermatitis characterized by intense itching, occurring in individuals predisposed to developing certain hypersensitivity reactions.
Dermatology. The branch of medicine that deals with the diseases and disorders of the skin.
Eczema. Generic term for acute or chronic inflammatory conditions of the skin.
Flares. Areas of active inflammation or dermatitis, generally characterized by diffuse redness.
Infection. The reproduction and rapid spread of microorganisms within the body.
Inflammation. A localized protective reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection, characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of function.
Itch-scratch cycle. A perpetuation and/or worsening of eczema symptoms caused by repeated scratching of itchy skin. Scratching can cause the red, bumpy rash of eczema to appear or worsen, leading to more itching, followed by more scratching.
Pruritus. The medical term for itch.
Ultraviolet light. Relating to electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths from about 5 to 400 nanometers, beyond the violet end of the visible light spectrum.