The most common symptom of atopic dermatitis is itching, which can be severe. Other common symptoms include: Red, dry patches of skin. Rashes that that may ooze, weep clear fluid, or bleed when scratched. Thickening and hardening of the skin. The symptoms can flare in multiple areas of the body at the same time and can appear in the same locations and in new locations. The appearance and location of the rash vary depending on age; however, the rash can appear anywhere on the body. Patients with darker skin tones often experience darkening or lightening of the skin in areas of skin inflammation.