A questionnaire survey on itching and daily life in patients with atopic dermatitis

Itching is a mandatory symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD), and consequent scratching behavior contributes to the formation, maintenance and exacerbation of the skin manifestation, It is therefore reasonable for clinicians to know when patients with AD feel itching and how they manage it in daily life for better communication with patients and for more pertinent instruction in the daily clinic. In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey on itching and daily life in 49 patients with AD who came to the Department of Dermatology of Kyushu University Hospital from November 2005 to January 2007. All the patients who participated in the survey provided informed consent. Results indicated that major factors that provoke itching include sweating, clothing material, and mental status. Concerning the effectiveness of therapeutic agents, topical corticosteroids and emollients were immediately effective, whereas tacrolimus ointment and antihistamins tended to be rather slow-acting in controlling the itching of AD.