Treatment of atopic dermatitis in children: the importance of skin care and environmental control.

A 5-year-old female with severe atopic dermatitis with secondary bacterial infection is presented. The patient had been managed with topical steroids and anti-allergic drugs for several months prior to admission to the National Children's Hospital, Tokyo. This case is reported to emphasize that drugs alone are not sufficient in treating severe atopic dermatitis. Skin care and environmental control are equally important and should form a part in the management of the disease.