Atopic Dermatitis vs. Eczema. History of Terminology

Currently, one of the unresolved terminological problems of dermatology is the question of the definition of two diseases — atopic dermatitis and eczema. Moreover, discussions and disputes continue between supporters of the identity of both dermatoses and adherents of their nosological independence. In our work, we have made an attempt to understand not only the definitions of the studied pathological processes, but also to compare their clinical forms in order to objectify the terminology used. It can be concluded that representatives of foreign dermatological Schools of the XIX and the first half of the XX century, using the terms "eczema", "diathesis pruritus", "neurodermatitis" and "atopic dermatitis", implied the same pathological process. While our domestic predecessors clearly defined the definitions of these two independent nosologies, denoting, respectively, unambiguous terms — "eczema" and "atopic dermatitis". From the point of view of etiopathogenesis in Russia, eczema is considered as a dermatosis due to acquired hypersensitivity to external factors, while in atopic dermatitis this hypersensitivity is congenital. Domestic dermatovenerologists, based on modern ideas about the etiology and pathogenesis, genetic and immunological factors, as well as the nature of the clinical picture, use unambiguous definitions for two separate dermatological nosologies — "eczema" and "atopic dermatitis", preserving the traditions of the Russian dermatovenerological School for the benefit of the development of Russian science and the health of our patients.