Atopic Dermatitis vs. Eczema: What’s the Difference?

But chances are you’ll mainly see the word “eczema” used to describe atopic dermatitis frequently in research, awareness campaigns, and even in conversation, says Martin Dittmer, MD, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

“These terms get thrown around all the time with varying use by different people,” explains Dr. Dittmer. “When dermatologists say eczema in the scientific, clinical sense — not conversationally — they mean a group of diseases that look similar on your skin and under the microscope.”

The differences between atopic dermatitis and other types of eczema are subtle, according to Dittmer and Sullivan.

A key difference is that atopic dermatitis tends to happen more often in children and is more closely linked to genetics than certain other types of eczema.

“Because the atopic dermatitis type occurs in those genetically predisposed or otherwise susceptible, it is most common in kids,” Dittmer explains. “So, when we see ‘eczema’ in an adult, it is less likely to be atopic dermatitis and more likely to be from another cause, such as a contact allergy (allergic contact dermatitis) or medication (eczematous drug eruption).”