アトピー

あとぴー
noun
atopy; atopic dermatitis
1. atopy; atopic dermatitis; eczema
A genetic tendency to develop allergic conditions such as eczema, asthma, and hay fever. In everyday Japanese, most commonly refers specifically to atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema).
子供(こども)のころからアトピーだ。
I've had atopic dermatitis since childhood.
アトピーの症状(しょうじょう)悪化(あっか)した。
My eczema symptoms got worse.
アトピー(せい)皮膚炎(ひふえん)完治(かんち)(むずか)しいが、適切(てきせつ)治療(ちりょう)症状(しょうじょう)(おさ)えることができる。
Atopic dermatitis is hard to cure completely, but proper treatment can control the symptoms.

In Japanese, アトピー almost always refers to atopic dermatitis (eczema) specifically, even though the medical term is broader. Very common in daily conversation as many Japanese people suffer from this condition.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • アトピー(せい)皮膚炎(ひふえん): atopic dermatitis (the full medical term)
  • アトピー(はだ): atopy-prone skin
  • アトピーが()る: for eczema to flare up
  • アトピーが(なお)る: for eczema to clear up
  • アトピー体質(たいしつ): atopic constitution; tendency toward allergies

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 湿疹(しっしん): eczema, rash — a general medical term for skin rashes; broader than アトピー
  • アレルギー: allergy — the broader category of immune hypersensitivity
  • 肌荒(はだあ)れ: rough skin, skin irritation — a general term for skin problems

CULTURAL NOTE:
Atopic dermatitis is extremely common in Japan. There are many products marketed specifically for アトピー(はだ), and the topic comes up frequently in conversations about children's health.