Atopic dermatitis and skincare
Epidemiology
The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Japan as diagnosed at three-month infant checkups is 16.2%, 7.89% at 18-month checkups, 13.2% at three years, and 8.2% among college students. This rate stays steady until around age 30, then decreases significantly at 40 and 50, reaching 4.8% and 2.5% respectively. Meanwhile, reports from other countries show considerable variation. Though the reports are somewhat dated, in the 1990s Sweden reported a prevalence rate as high as 18.4%, while Iran was markedly low at just 1.1%. In general, atopic dermatitis is more common in developed countries like Japan, Australia, and those in Europe 10.
Dr. Masamitsu Ichihashi
Professor Emeritus, Kobe University
Dr. Ichihashi completed his doctoral program at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine. He specializes in dermatology, with a particular interest in researching how UV rays affect the skin over many years of exposure. He has also trained outside of Japan in dermatology and dermatological treatments.