Atopic dermatitis (AD) has often been linked with altered skin barrier, microbiome, and immune dysregulation that tends to heighten the risk of skin infections.

A recent study assessed if AD is associated with skin infections and related outcomes. Data were analyzed from the 2006 to 2012 National Emergency Department Sample (198,102,435 adults or children).

Skin infections were found to be higher in ED visits of adults (7.14% vs 3.76%) and children (5.15% vs 2.48%) with AD. Multivariable logistic regression models revealed that AD was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of skin infection in adults (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.93 [1.89-1.97]) as well as children (2.23 [2.16-2.31]).

AD in children as well as adults was noted to be linked with significantly higher odds of carbuncle/furuncles, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas, methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus infections, molluscum contagiosum, cutaneous warts, herpes simplex and zoster viruses, eczema herpeticum, dermatophytosis, and candidiasis of skin/nails and vulva/urogenitals.

Of note, adults with AD had a higher likelihood of genital warts (1.51 [1.36-1.52]) and herpes (1.23 [1.11-1.35]).

It was concluded that AD patients were more likely to have multiple bacterial, viral, fungal, and sexually transmitted skin infections.

Source: Ren Z, Silverberg JI. Association of Atopic Dermatitis With Bacterial, Fungal, Viral, and Sexually Transmitted Skin Infections. Dermatitis. 2020 Mar/Apr;31(2):157-164.