Atopic dermatitis

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Atopic dermatitis

Overview of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a long-lasting disease that affects the skin. It is not contagious.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema, which is a general term for disorders that produce skin inflammation.

What happens in atopic dermatitis?

If you have atopic dermatitis, you lose moisture from the outer layer of the skin. The skin then becomes very dry and has reduced protective abilities. This makes your skin more likely to become infected by bacteria or viruses.

In atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes extremely itchy. Scratching leads to redness, swelling, cracking, “weeping” clear fluid, crusting, and scaling. In most cases, there are periods of time when the disease is worse (called exacerbations or flares) followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up entirely (called remissions).

Who Gets Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is very common and occurs equally in males and females. The disorder most often begins in infancy and childhood.

In infants, atopic dermatitis typically begins around 6 to 12 weeks of age. It may first appear around the cheeks and chin as a patchy facial rash, which can progress to red, scaling, oozing skin that may become infected. Other areas, such as the inner and outer parts of the arms and legs, may also be affected once the infant begins crawling.

In childhood, the rash tends to occur behind the knees and inside the elbows; on the sides of the neck; around the mouth; and on the wrists, ankles, and hands. Often the rash begins with small, round bumps that become hard and scaly when scratched. The skin around the lips may be inflamed, and constant licking of the area may lead to small, painful cracks in the skin around the mouth.

In some children, the disease goes into remission for a long time, only to come back at the onset of puberty when hormones, stress, and the use of irritating skin care products or cosmetics may cause the disease to flare. Even if the disease improves or disappears, the skin often remains dry and easily irritated.

Although a number of people who developed atopic dermatitis as children also experience symptoms as adults, it is also possible for the disease to show up first in adulthood. The pattern in adults is similar to that seen in children; that is, the disease may be widespread or limited to only a few parts of the body. Onset after age 30 is is often caused by environmental factors such as:

• Exposure of the skin to harsh or wet conditions.
• Living in the city.
• Dry climates.

Atopic dermatitis of child

Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis

The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:

• Dry skin.
• Rashes on the face, inside the elbows, behind the knees, and on the hands and feet.
• Itching.

Other symptoms depend upon the amount of scratching and whether there are skin infections. Some symptoms may also be seen in other types of skin disorders. Common skin features of atopic dermatitis include:

• An extra fold of skin under the eye.
• Inflammation of the skin on and around the lips.
• Increased number of skin creases on the palms.
• Eyelids that are darker in color.
• Dry, rectangular scales on the skin.
• Small, rough bumps on the face, upper arms, and thighs.
• Thick, leathery skin due to constant scratching and rubbing.
• Small raised bumps that may open when scratched and become crusty and infected.
• Red, raised bumps that may occur after exposure to an allergen, at the beginning of flares, or after exercise or a hot bath.
• Patchy loss of eyebrows and eyelashes as a result of scratching or rubbing.

Causes of Atopic Dermatitis

No one knows what causes atopic dermatitis. Children are more likely to develop the disorder if a parent has had it or another disease like asthma or hay fever. This indicates that genetics are involved. Environmental factors can bring on symptoms of atopic dermatitis at any time in affected people.

Atopic dermatitis is also associated with malfunction of the body’s immune system, which helps fight off bacteria and viruses. The immune system can become misguided and create inflammation in the skin, even if there isn’t a major infection.

In the past, doctors thought that atopic dermatitis was caused by an emotional disorder. Scientists now know that emotional factors, such as stress, can make the condition worse, but they do not cause the disease.

Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis

To diagnose you with atopic dermatitis, your doctor may:

• Ask you about your medical history, including:
  • Your family history of allergies.
  • Whether you also have diseases such as hay fever or asthma.
  • Exposure to irritants, such as:
    • Wool or synthetic fibers.
    • Soaps and detergents.
    • Some perfumes and cosmetics.
    • Substances such as chlorine, mineral oil, or solvents.
    • Dust or sand.
    • Cigarette smoke.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Foods that seem to be related to skin flares.
  • Previous treatments for skin-related symptoms.
  • Use of steroids or other medications.
• Identify factors that may trigger flares of atopic dermatitis by pricking the skin with a needle that contains a small amount of a suspected allergen.

Your doctor may need to see you several times to make an accurate diagnosis and to rule out other diseases and conditions that might cause skin irritation.

Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

The two main goals in treating atopic dermatitis are healing the skin and preventing flares. You should note any changes in the skin’s condition in response to treatment to identify which treatments seem to work best.

Treatments can include:

• Medications: A variety of medications are used to treat atopic dermatitis.
  • Corticosteroid creams and ointments are commonly used to treat diseases affecting the skin. If creams and ointments are not effective, your doctor may prescribe a shorter-term corticosteroid that is taken by mouth.
  • Antihistamines that cause drowsiness can reduce nighttime scratching and allow more restful sleep when taken at bedtime.
  • Calcineurin inhibitors applied to the skin decrease inflammation and help prevent flares.
  • Barrier repair moisturizers reduce water loss and work to rebuild the skin.
• Phototherapy: Use of ultraviolet A or B light waves can be an effective treatment for mild to moderate dermatitis.
• Skin care that helps heal the skin and keep it healthy.
• Protection from allergens.

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