How To Relieve Symptoms Of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is what occasionally other individuals call as "skin allergy". It is a recurring, distinguishing cutaneous inflammatory condition with strong hereditary predisposition. The skin lesion can begin as early as infancy and advance to childhood and adolescence. It has a relapsing course and patients with atopic dermatitis are also at risk for developing allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Just like allergic rhinitis and asthma, this type of dermatitis can be set off by ingestion of food allergen and inhalation of inhalant allergens like house dust mite, mold and pollen. It can also be initiated by coarse clothes and mental stress.

Atopic dermatitis has 3 unique stages, each with fairly characteristics features depending on the age of the patient.

The first phase is the infantile stage which normally begins during the 4th to 6th month. It presents as itchy, red rashes on the cheeks that distributes to the forehead, back of the arms, and anterior surface of the legs. Heavy scaling of the scalp is prominent. However, the skin near the mouth and eyelids are normally spared.

Between 2 and 4 years old, childhood phase gradually occurs and may follow the infantile phase, or it may appear several years later. Skin lesions are distinguished as itchy, excoriated papules (little solid elevations on the skin with less than 1 cm diameter) on the face, anterior surface of the arms, and back of the legs. Due to persistent irritation produced by scratching or rubbing off of these itchy lesions, the skin becomes hardened and leathery (known as lichenification). The individual also assumes the so-called "mask of atopic dermatitis" where there is whitish hue of the face. This stage may disappear just before 10 years of age or go on into adulthood.

The adult stage of atopic dermatitis has the same characteristic skin lesions in childhood phase, but this time it involves the dorsal aspect of the hand and the upper eyelids.

Management of atopic dermatitis embraces two basic rules: (1) avoidance of environmental variables that may potentiate the itch-scratch cycle, and (2) good skin hydration in any phase of the illness. Right here are some useful tips that need special consideration.

1. Stay away from the following: -food items that trigger allergies like peanuts, eggs, milk, seafoods -inhalants (house dust mites, molds) -extreme change of temperature and humidity (This can trigger perspiration and worsen itching.)

2. Bodily irritants like soaps, detergents, wool, silk, nylon, and other artificial materials should also be avoided.

3. Hydrate the skin by bathing or soaking the affected area in tepid water for a period of 15 mins 2-3 times per day. Right after the bath, remove extra water by patting with soft towel. Afterwards, apply proper topical steroid medication in 3-5 minutes. This kind of fast application could stop evaporation and dryness of the pores and skin, providing the advantage of increasing the penetration of the topical medicine.

4. Moisturizers in lotions or creams can also be applied 3-4 times daily, immediately after baths to add some moisture to the pores and skin.

5. When applied with hydration, occlusives like petroleum jelly or vegetable shortening are efficient in dry areas as they permit less evaporation.

6. Suspect secondary bacterial infections in the existence of acute weeping or cracking lesions. It is very best to consult a physician as doing so will require antibiotic therapy.

Just like other long standing recurring diseases, individuals with atopic dermatitis need psychological support and education. Most of all, patients and parents need to be assured that the illness may be controlled, and that majority improve with age.


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