The morphologic characteristics of dry skin in atopic dermatitis.

Uninvolved skin sites in 436 consecutive patients, 6 to 25 years old, with atopic dermatitis were observed during the winter months (from November to February). Ichthyosis vulgaris occurred in 133 patients. Of the 303 remaining patients, only 11 (4%) had generalized dry skin; 191 (63%) exhibited focal areas of dry skin; and 95 (33%) showed only normal-appearing skin. Microscopically, in 41 patients, dry skin associated with atopic dermatitis showed mild eczematous changes. Dry skin coexistent with ichthyosis in patients with atopic dermatitis revealed ichthyotic changes frequently superimposed on eczematous changes. We suggest that in patients with atopic dermatitis the presence of dry skin may reflect mild eczematous changes, a manifestation of concomitant ichthyosis, or a complex of both of these changes.