Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the senility.

Methods Based on Zhang Jianzhong's diagnostic criteria for AD (three features as the criteria for adult/adolescent AD: (1)eczema for more than 6 months; (2) personal and/or family history of atopic diseases; (3) elevated total serum IgE level and/or positive allergen-specific IgE and/or eosinophilia; (1) + (2) or (1) + (3) can be diagnosis basis), subjects were comprised of 204 patients investigated for clinical features, EOS, serum immunoglobulin IgE levels and skin manifestations.

Results Mean age was (70.51±7.58) years (range: 60-96). Most patients had eczematous dermatitis, obvious pruritus and manifested predominantly in the trunk and lower limbs. Most elderly patients with specific dermatitis suffered from one or more systemic diseases at the same time. Eight patients(3.92%) showed positive for EOS, and forty-nine patients (24.02%) showed positive results for total IgE anti-bodies.The most common allergens for specific IgE in inhalation allergens group were dog hairs and scales (25%) willow and Chinese parasol (25.49%). The food allergens were mainly cashew (8.82%), shrimp (9.31%), crab (8.33%) and egg white (8.33%).

Conclusions Elderly patients with AD have obvious pruritus, mainly in the trunk and lower limbs, accompanied by a variety of systemic diseases. A variety of ingestive and inhalation allergens detected serologically are positive.