The skin condition called Atopic Dermatitis has affected a lot of people in recent times. Although it is not deadly, it is feared by many. Would you want to know the causes of the skin condition Atopic Dermatitis? Then you should read through this guide. We will be telling you all you need to know about Atopic Dermatitis.
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition that causes itchy skin that gets dry and scaly. It tends to come and go and may only be in childhood or may affect you your entire life. In people with light-colored skin, atopic dermatitis looks like red rashes. People with darker skin may develop brown, purple, or gray rashes.
People with atopic dermatitis are at risk of developing food allergies, hay fever, and asthma.
Although Atopic dermatitis, often referred to as eczema, here’s the difference between them.
Atopic dermatitis vs eczema: What’s the difference?
Dermatitis and eczema both refer to inflammation of the skin. Eczema is a broad, umbrella term describing a group of conditions. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema.
Causes
In some people, atopic dermatitis is related to a gene variation that affects the skin’s ability to provide protection. With a weak barrier function, the skin is less able to retain moisture and protect against bacteria, irritants, allergens, and environmental factors — such as tobacco smoke.
In other people, atopic dermatitis is caused by too much of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus on the skin. This displaces helpful bacteria and disrupts the skin’s barrier function.
A weak skin barrier function might also trigger an immune system response that causes inflamed skin and other symptoms.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is one of several types of dermatitis. Other common types are contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff). Dermatitis isn’t contagious.
What are the types of atopic dermatitis?
All types of eczema cause itchiness and redness, but AD is the most severe and chronic. Other types of eczema include:
- Hand eczema. Hand eczema affects only your hands and is often caused by frequent contact with irritating chemicals.
- Contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a skin irritation caused by contact with certain irritants.
- Dyshidrotic eczema. Dyshidrotic eczema is a type of eczema that develops only on your fingers, palms, and the soles of your feet.
- Neurodermatitis (lichenification). Neurodermatitis is characterized by thickened patches of skin due to repeated rubbing or scratching.
- Nummular eczema. Nummular eczema is a chronic condition that causes spots about the size of coithat are often itchy.
- Stasis dermatitis. Stasis dermatitis is a type of skin irritation that develops in people with poor circulation, typically in the lower legs.
Doctors and researchers are working to better understand how eczema works and why it affects so many people. There’s currently no known cure for this common condition.
Who Gets Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a common disease and usually appears during infancy and childhood. For many children, atopic dermatitis goes away before the teenage years. However, some children who develop atopic dermatitis may continue to have symptoms as teeand adults. Occasionally, for some people, the disease first appears during adulthood.
The chance of developing atopic dermatitis is higher if there is a family history of atopic dermatitis, hay fever, or asthma. In addition, research shows that atopic dermatitis is more common in non-Hispanic black children and that women and girls tend to develop the disease slightly more often than men and boys.
Symptoms
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) symptoms can appear anywhere on the body and vary widely from person to person. They may include:
- Dry, cracked skin
- Itchiness (pruritus)
- Rash on swollen skin that varies in color depending on your skin color
- Small, raised bumps, on brown or Black skin
- Oozing and crusting
- Thickened skin
- Darkening of the skin around the eyes
- Raw, sensitive skin from scratching
Atopic dermatitis often begibefore age 5 and may continue into the teen and adult years. For some people, it flares and then clears up for a time, even for several years.
How is atopic dermatitis treated?
There are several medicatioand therapies that can help manage atopic dermatitis symptoms. These include:
- Topical steroid creams. Corticosteroid creams or ointments keep itching under control and help repair your skin. You should use them exactly as directed, as overuse can cause unpleasant side effects like thinning skin or loss of pigment.
- Oral steroids. In severe cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe prednisone or other oral corticosteroids to help control inflammation. Follow all instructions. These drugs are only used short-term due to potential side effects, such as high blood sugar, glaucoma, slowed growth in kids, and slower wound healing.
- Dupilumab (Dupixent). This new, FDA-approved injectable medication can treat people with severe atopic dermatitis who haven’t had success with other treatment options.
- Antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals. If atopic dermatitis becomes infected, your healthcare provider will prescribe these medicatioto eliminate infection and relieve your symptoms.
- Wet dressings. This intensive approach involves applying steroid creams, then wrapping the skin with wet bandages. If you have a severe flare-up, a provider may perform this treatment in a hospital setting.
- Light therapy. People who have severe flare-ups after traditional treatments often benefit from light therapy. During this treatment, your provider will use controlled amounts of ultraviolet rays on your skin. This type of therapy isn’t recommended long-term, as it can eventually increase your risk for skin cancer and premature aging.
Complications
Complicatioof atopic dermatitis (eczema) may include:
- Asthma and hay fever. Many people with atopic dermatitis develop asthma and hay fever. This can happen before or after developing atopic dermatitis.
- Food allergies. People with atopic dermatitis often develop food allergies. One of the main symptoms of this condition is hives (urticaria).
- Chronic itchy, scaly skin. A skin condition called neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus) starts with a patch of itchy skin. You scratch the area, which provides only temporary relief. Scratching actually makes the skin itchier because it activates the nerve fibers in your skin. Over time, you may scratch out of habit. This condition can cause the affected skin to become discolored, thick, and leathery.
- Patches of skin that are darker or lighter than the surrounding area. This complication after the rash has healed is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. It’s more common in people with brown or Black skin. It might take several months for the discoloration to fade.
- Skin infections. Repeated scratching that breaks the skin can cause open sores and cracks. These increase the risk of infection from bacteria and viruses. These skin infectiocan spread and become life-threatening.
- Irritant hand dermatitis. This especially affects people whose hands are often wet and exposed to harsh soaps, detergents, and disinfectants at work.
- Allergic contact dermatitis. This condition is common in people with atopic dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is an itchy rash caused by touching substances you’re allergic to. The color of the rash varies depending on your skin color.
- Sleep problems. The itchiness of atopic dermatitis can interfere with sleep.
- Mental health conditions. Atopic dermatitis is associated with depression and anxiety. This may be related to the constant itching and sleep problems common among people with atopic dermatitis.
Prevention
Developing a basic skincare routine may help prevent eczema flares. The following tips may help reduce the drying effects of bathing:
Moisturize your skin at least twice a day. Creams, ointments, shea butter, and lotioseal in moisture. Choose a product or products that work well for you. Ideally, the best one for you will be safe, effective, affordable, and unscented.
Using petroleum jelly on your baby’s skin may help prevent the development of atopic dermatitis.
Take a daily bath or shower. Use warm, rather than hot, water, and limit your bath or shower to about 10 minutes.
Use a gentle, nonsoap cleanser. Choose a cleanser that’s free of dyes, alcohol, and fragrance. For young children, you usually need only warm water to get them clean — no soap or bubble bath is needed. Soap can be especially irritating to the skin of young children. For people of any age, deodorant soaps and antibacterial soaps can remove too much of the skin’s natural oils and dry the skin. Don’t scrub the skin with a washcloth or loofah.
Pat dry. After bathing, gently pat the skin with a soft towel. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp (within three minutes).
The triggers for atopic dermatitis vary widely from person to person. Try to identify and avoid irritants that trigger your eczema. In general, avoid anything that causes an itch because scratching often triggers a flare.
Common triggers for atopic dermatitis include:
- Rough wool fabric
- Dry skin
- Skin infection
- Heat and sweat
- Stress
- Cleaning products
- Dust mites and pet dander
- Mold
- Pollen
- Smoke from tobacco
- Cold and dry air
- Fragrances
- Other irritating chemicals
Conclusion
In conclusion, there’s no cure for atopic dermatitis, so the condition can start in childhood and continue through adulthood. Some people may outgrow it, but other people experience symptoms of atopic dermatitis throughout their lives unless it’s treated or managed.
For those who experience frequent symptoms, identifying and minimizing triggers can result in less skin irritation. Try to control the sources of your stress, and keep a journal to see whether certain foods or skin care products worsen symptoms. If they do, eliminate those triggers from your life, if possible.
Practicing good skin hygiene can also help reduce symptoms. This can involve bathing regularly in warm water with fragrance-free and dye-free cosmetics, as well as keeping your skin regularly moisturized with topical gels and creams.