The word ‘atopic’ describes a group of allergic or associated diseases that often affect several members of a family. These families may not only have allergies such as hay fever and asthma but also show skin eruptions called atopic dermatitis. The word eczema is used to describe all kinds of red, blistering, oozing, scaly, brownish, thickened and itching skin conditions.
Infantile eczema or neurodermatitis, is a skin disorder caused due to hypersensitivity (allergy-related) reactions occurring within the skin. It is characterized by inflammation, itching and scaling of the skin.
What are the causes of Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis can affect children (infantile) or adults. It is most common in infants and most of them are cured from this condition. There is often a family history of asthma, hay fever, eczema, psoriasis, or other allergy-related disorders. In adults, it is generally a chronic or recurring condition.
Neurodermatitis is a form of Atopic dermatitis characterized by a self-perpetuating scratch-itch cycle. Although symptoms increase in times of stress, physiological changes in the nerve fibres are also present.
A hypersensitivity reaction (similar to an allergy) occurs in the skin, causing chronic inflammation. The inflammation causes the skin to become itchy and scaly. Chronic irritation and scratching can cause the skin to thicken and become leathery-textured, although this is more pronounced in the localized form, lichen simplex chronicus.
Exposure to environmental irritants can worsen symptoms, as can dryness of the skin, exposure to water, temperature changes and stress.
What are the symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis?
Intense itching.
Blisters (vesicle formation) with oozing and crusting.
Skin redness or inflammation around the blisters.
Rash, in child under 2 years old.
Skin lesions begin on the cheeks in infants and may progress to the scalp, arms, trunk, and legs.
Dry, leathery skin areas (lichenification) located commonly in the inner elbow or behind the knee.
Ear discharges/bleeding.
How can we diagnose Atopic Dermatitis?
A thorough physical examination of the lesions and laboratory examination of the biopsied lesions are generally conducted.
Allergy test may be carried out to find the cause as any food or inhalant allergen.
Laboratory cultures are also done to see whether any bacterial or fungal infections are there.
How can Atopic Dermatitis be treated?
Treatment may vary depending on the appearance (stage) of the lesions. Acute weeping lesions, dry scaly lesions, or chronic dry thickened lesions are treated differently.
Infantile eczema usually becomes milder with age and often disappears after age 3 or 4. Atopic dermatitis usually responds to home treatment. Anything that aggravates the symptoms should be avoided. For some patients certain food items, environmental factors like change in weather and usage of wool and lanolin can increase the problem. Dry skin often makes the condition worse, so bathing and the use of soaps may be reduced. Temperature changes and stress may cause sweating and changes in the blood vessels of the skin. These aggravate the condition.
If avoidance of irritants does not reduce symptoms, treatment applied to a localized area of the skin (topical) may be indicated. Topical treatment of weeping lesions may include soothing lotions, mild soaps, or wet dressings.
Preventive measures: No known prevention. The condition tends to run in families. Control of stress and emotional conditions like nervousness, anxiety, depression, etc. can be useful in preventing some cases.
More Valuable information about Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is very common in all parts of the world. The disease can occur at any age but is most common in infants and young adults. The skin rash is very itchy and sometimes disfiguring. The condition usually improves in childhood or sometime before the age of 25. About sixty per cent of patients have some degree of dermatitis and some suffer throughout life. These cases can cause frustration in the patient.
In infantile eczema, itching, oozing, crusting condition tends to occur mainly on the face and scalp, although spots can appear elsewhere. In attempts to relieve the itching, the child may rub its head and cheeks and other affected areas with a hand, a pillow, or anything within reach. Many babies improve before two years of age. Proper treatment can be helpful, sometimes controlling the disease until time solves the problem.
Factors aggravating Dermatitis:
Dust and sand.
Soaps and washing powders.
Regular washing.
Stress and emotional upsets.
Usage of skin drying cosmetics.
Extreme weather like coldness.
Scratching and Itching.
Using rough clothes or woollen dresses.
Frequently asked questions about Atopic Dermatitis :
Which doctor should I consult if I have atopic dermatitis?
You have to consult a dermatologist for your problem.
This condition is said to be associated with allergies, can certain foods be the cause?
Yes. Some foods may provoke attacks, especially in infants and young children. But eliminating them rarely will bring a cure, though foods such as cow’s milk, eggs, fish, wheat, peanuts and other foods that are suggested by your dermatologist can be avoided at least for one to two weeks on a trial basis.
Glossary
Psoriasis : It is a non-infectious, inflammatory disease of the skin.
Crusting : Formation of dried blood or tissue fluids as scales on the skin surface.
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