Atopic dermatitis is one of the common skin diseases globally and is often co-endemic with many skin neglected tropical diseases. This course provides comprehensive information about the cause, diagnosis, and management of atopic dermatitis, with special consideration to Sub-Saharan countries and dark skin.
Photo credit: A. Taieb
Language: English
NTD
Course information
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Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by a chronic itchy, inflammatory rash. It often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood, significantly impacting the quality of life. The exact cause is unknown, but it involves a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors, with flare-ups often triggered by allergens, stress, and climate changes. This course on atopic dermatitis covers the unique challenges and treatment strategies for managing this chronic skin condition on dark skin in Sub-Saharan Africa. The course includes in-depth discussions on diagnosis, basic skin care management, and the need for referral in severe/recalcitrant cases. The target audience for this course is frontline healthcare workers and anyone interested in learning more about atopic dermatitis.
Course duration: Approximately 2 hours
Certificates: A Certificate of Achievement will be issued to participants who score at least 80% of the total points available in the final assessment. Participants who receive a Certificate of Achievement can also download an Open Badge for this course. Click here to learn how.
What you'll learn
- Describe the common features of atopic dermatitis among Sub-Saharan communities screened for NTDs
- Describe the clinical presentation and diagnosis of atopic dermatitis
- Outline the basic therapeutic management plan for atopic dermatitis
- List the complications of severe atopic dermatitis and how to minimize this risk
Who this course is for
- The target audience for this course is frontline health care workers and anyone interested in learning more about atopic dermatitis.
Course contents
Module 1: Introduction to Neglected Tropical Diseases; atopic dermatitis and skin NTDs; atopic dermatitis in Sub-Saharan Africa:
This module starts with an overview of neglected tropical diseases since atopic dermatitis is often co-endemic with many cutaneous NTDs. At the end of this module, you will define atopic dermatitis, identify the prevalence of this disease, and explain its unique burden in Sub-Saharan Africa.Module 2: Common skin diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa; diagnostic criteria of atopic dermatitis according to age; common skin diseases to differentiate from atopic dermatitis:
At the end of this module, you will list the common skin diseases in Africa and describe the diagnostic criteria and their limitations for atopic dermatitis. You will explain the clinical presentations and build a strong differential diagnosis for atopic dermatitis.Module 3: Infectious complications of atopic dermatitis; non-Infectious complications of atopic dermatitis; social stigma of atopic dermatitis:
At the end of this module, you will explain infectious and non-infectious complications associated with atopic dermatitis. You will describe how stigma affects the quality of life of those living with atopic dermatitis, with a special emphasis on sequels of AD on dark skin.Module 4: Basic treatment and management of atopic dermatitis:
At the end of this module, you will assess severity of AD, list and implement the basic treatment plan and management of atopic dermatitis, specifically in children who are the most affected groupModule 5: Understanding the cause of atopic dermatitis; atopic dermatitis and allergies; minimizing atopic dermatitis risk :
At the end of this module, you will describe the multifactorial causes and triggers of atopic dermatitis. You will define what is referred to as atopy and the relationship between allergies, asthma, and atopic dermatitisModule 6: Assessment of diagnosis and lack of response to first-line treatment; managing the patient with progressive/rapid aggravation; special locations of atopic dermatitis and other pearls:
At the end of this module, you will develop a framework to aid in the triage and diagnosis of aggravation of atopic dermatitis. You will explain the procedures to take care of a patient with rapid and severe aggravation of atopic dermatitis. You will get an overview on other important specific locations of atopic dermatitis that should not be forgotten. Finally, you will be aware of the role of tele-dermatology in the current strategy for optimizing care delivery.
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Certificate Requirements
- Gain a Record of Achievement by earning at least 80% of the maximum number of points from all graded assignments.
- Gain an Open Badge by completing the course.