ABSTRACT
Education of patients and their families is a critical component of successful management of atopic dermatitis (AD) (1). Learning about the course of AD along with exacerbating factors is important in dealing with a chronic illness. Adequate time and teaching materials are necessary to provide effective education. Most patients or parents will forget or confuse the skin care recommendations given them without written instructions. For many patients, a written stepcare treatment plan will lead to improved outcomes. Patients or parents should demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of the recommendations, and these should be adjusted and reviewed on follow-up visits. Educational brochures and videos can be obtained from the Eczema Association for Science and Education (800-818-7546 or www.eczema-ossn.org ) or the Lung Line (800 222-LUNG or www.njc.org ). Patient-oriented support groups and updates on progress in AD research may also benefit patients.
