Atopic dermatitis: the concept of flare factors.

A flare factor is a biologic or environmental factor which induces exacerbation of atopic dermatis. Serosis, sweating, scratchy clothes, allergy, infection, scratching, allergic contact dermatitis, anxiety, and coexisting disease are potential flare factors. Different patients have different flare factors, and individual patients may have different flare factors at each patient visit maximizes chances of eliminating or reducing dermatitis.