Throughout history, individuals have had a myriad of dermatologic conditions characterized as chronic pruritic dermatoses. The term atopic dermatitis was not coined until the early 20th century. Many diseases typical of this condition were reported using a variety of eponyms and descriptive terms. Even as the incidence of atopic dermatitis rises, it remains poorly understood in the modern era, and viewing the disease from a historical perspective provides useful insight into its nature. This article highlights the evolution of concepts related to the pathogenesis of and recommended treatments for atopic dermatitis.
© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.