Atopic dermatitis progression: evaluating intervention strategies.

Several risk factors have been identified that appear to be consistently and strongly associated with the development of atopic dermatitis (AD): a family history of atopy, an inherited genetic predisposition, and active and passive exposure to tobacco smoke. Recent studies also have demonstrated that a simple intervention from birth-the daily application of an emollient moisturizer-seems to protect susceptible infants from the development of AD.