This chapter presents a pictorial representation of the variations of atopic dermatitis that are featured in the body of this work. Heavily represented are the most common subtypes of atopic dermatitis: facial-extensor (Figs. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5), flexural (Figs. 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, and 1.9), and nummular (Figs. 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, and 1.13). Less frequently occurring variants (there may not be general agreement that these are atopic dermatitis) include lichen planus–like eczema (Figs. 1.14, 1.15, and 1.16), dyshidrotic eczema, pityriasis alba (Figs. 1.17, 1.18, and 1.19), and juvenile plantar dermatosis. Diseases in which eczema is a known component, such as Meyerson’s nevus (Fig. 1.21) and Doucas Kapetanakis pigmented purpuric dermatosis (Fig. 1.20), and diseases in which eczema was previously not thought to be present, including seborrheic dermatitis (Figs. 1.22 and 1.23), tinea pedis (Figs. 1.24 and 1.25), and axillary granular parakeratosis (Fig. 1.26), are also shown.

Each of these disorders may overlap with others, so many times they are not “pure” forms of the variant. This happens relatively frequently in the facial-extensor variety presenting with flexural involvement, or with facial extensor concomitantly occurring with nummular disease. Pityriasis alba occurs very frequently with all of the major forms as well as occurring in a “solo” fashion. Dyshidrotic eczema may occasionally overlap (in my observations, most often with flexural disease). Other variants are rare enough that overlap with other forms of the disease is very uncommon. In addition to overlap, each of these may become impetiginized, with certain exceptions, such as pityriasis alba. The images are mostly from our patients at Drexel Dermatology; some have been graciously supplied by the Wake Forest Department of Dermatology.