Atopic Dermatitis - Symptoms & Treatment

Atopic dermatitis is a long-term skin disease. Atopic dermatitis is most common in babies and children. But it can happen to anyone. People who live in cities and dry climates may be more likely to get this disease. The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis reacts abnormally and easily to irritants, food and environmental allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. It also becomes vulnerable to surface infections caused by bacteria. Atopic dermatitis in people often occurs together with other atopic diseases like hay fever, asthma and conjunctivitis. It is a familial and chronic disease and its symptoms can increase or disappear over time. In most cases, there are periods of time when the disease is worse, called exacerbations or flares, which are followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions. Many children with atopic dermatitis enter into a permanent remission of the disease when they get older, although their skin often remains dry and easily irritated. Atopic dermatitis was included in the atopic category because it often affects people who either suffer from asthma and hay fever or have family members who do.

Atopic dermatitis in older children and adults is often confused with psoriasis. It is likely caused by both genetic and environmental factors. It is a very common disease, present worldwide, though it is more common in urban areas a developed countries. Disease is most prevalent in early infancy and childhood. The disease may have periods of complete remission, particularly in adolescence, and may then recur in early adult life. When people with AD are exposed to an irritant or allergen to which they are sensitive, inflammation-producing cells come into the skin. There, they release chemicals that cause itching and redness. Further damage occurs when the person scratches and rubs the affected area. Atopic dermatitis is a persistent skin condition that comes and goes. Patient compliance and co operation are essential in the successful management of atopic dermatitis. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment in conjunction with emollients to help promote hydration of the skin. Treatment is not effective until there is no further contact with the substance causing the problem. Once the substance is removed, the redness usually disappears after a week.