Atopic Dermatitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Atopic Dermatitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments we should all know. In addition, Atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease, which causes inflammation of the skin , leading to the appearance of lesions, itching, redness, swelling. It may also be known as atopic eczema. It is a condition that begins in childhood and changes in intensity over the years, and may disappear in adulthood. Atopic dermatitis is not contagious, you don’t “catch” this disease from other people. However, atopic dermatitis has no cure but can be treated throughout life.

In children under one year of age, the entire body can be affected by skin patches , and as children get older, the most affected parts are behind the knees, creases of the arms, creases of the feet. Itching worsens symptoms, and the more you scratch, the more the risk of skin infections increases, as the skin is more exposed.

The disease usually affects individuals with a family history of the disease (and may therefore be genetic), or a family history of asthma and allergic rhinitis. These three diseases are known as the atopic triad. People with atopic dermatitis can develop hay fever or asthma.

Atopic dermatitis is a common disease, being mainly found in urban areas (city pollution), and can get worse in the heat, because of sweat, or in the cold, if the climate is very dry. It currently affects approximately 10 to 15% of the population, most of them children. In approximately 75% of these children, there is a decrease or complete disappearance of the disease.

The Main Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis:  Atopic dermatitis is characterized by the appearance of very dry skin with significant itching that lead to excoriated lesions, in addition to other symptoms, such as:

• Ear discharge or bleeding;
• Raised areas of skin caused by itching;
• Changes in skin color;
• Skin that is lighter or darker than your normal tone;
• Redness or inflammation of the skin around the blisters
• Thick or leathery areas, which can occur after prolonged irritation and itching

Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis:  The diagnosis takes into account the itching, the location of the lesions, family history, and association with other atopy.

Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis:  The treatment of atopic dermatitis  starts with caring for the skin , which is usually dry. Therefore, it is important to take quick showers, not too hot, with little soap application and apply moisturizing creams.

If necessary and at the discretion of the treating physician, the following medications may be indicated: topical corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and antihistamines. Antibiotics should only be used when there is bacterial infection.

Recommendations for Atopic Dermatitis:

• Identify the risk factors that help trigger the crises to avoid them. This is the best way to prevent atopic dermatitis ;
• Take quick showers, not too hot, use little soap and apply moisturizers to prevent the skin from drying out ;
• Prefer cotton clothes over wool or made with mixed or synthetic fabric;
• Keep windows and doors open so that air circulates through the rooms;
• Seek medical assistance as soon as symptoms appear to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Untreated atopic dermatitis can lead to serious health complications like neurodermatitis, skin infections and vision complications as well.