Abnormal Skin Barrier in the Pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis

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Peter M. Elias, M.D.
Dermatology Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco

Introduction: Both a defective skin barrier, as well as a tendency to develop secondary infections, are well-recognized features of atopic dermatitis (AD). Until recently, these abnormalities have been assumed to result from an underlying immunologic abnormality (‘inside → outside’ view of AD pathogenesis).