Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

What is Atopic Dermatitis?

The condition, atopic dermatitis, is basically the itchy skin inflammation. It is a chronic condition which can be accompanied with hay fever or asthma. Eczema can affect any part of the skin, though; it mostly appears behind the knees and on the arms. The condition actually flares periodically, later subsiding.

What are the Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis?

Symptoms of the condition include:
• Itching which can get severe at night.
• Scaly, cracked or thickened skin.
• Sensitive, raw skin.
• Reddish-brownish patches.
• Small bumps which can leak fluid when scratched.

The patches may occur at any place, however they typically appears on the feet and hands, at the back of the knees, on the face, ankles, upper chest, neck and wrists. Furthermore, skin around your eyes can also get affected by eczema, including the eyelids. Scratching the affected skin can cause swelling and redness around your eyes.

Eczema most often starts in childhood and may continue into adulthood. For few, itching can be very severe, whilst scratching rashes may cause more inflamed and itchier skin.
Certain factors that can worsen the condition are:

• Stress.
• Dry skin.
• Stress.
• Long showers or hot baths.
• Sweating.
• Low humidity.
• Detergents, soaps, cleaners or solvents.
• Rapid temperature changes.
• Sand or dust.
• Man made clothing or fabrics or wool.
• Smoke of cigarette.
• Particular foods for example milk, eggs, wheat or soy.
• High polluted cities.

What Causes Atopic Dermatitis?

The actual cause of the condition is yet unknown, however it is possibly because of the combination of malfunction in immune system with irritable, dry skin. Furthermore, certain emotional disorders such as stress may worsen eczema, though do not trigger it!

As per the belief of many experts, the condition has a genetic root. Eczema has been considered to be linked with hay fever and asthma; however the theory is not yet proved. Not every individual with eczema have hay fever or asthma, and not every individual with hay fever or asthma develop eczema, though these diseases tend to appear together in affected families.

What are the Complications of Atopic Dermatitis?

Certain possible complications of eczema are:
• Skin infections.
• Neurodermatitis.
• Eye complications.

How is Atopic Dermatitis Diagnosed?

Thorough examination of the skin can help your doctor diagnose the condition, and thus needs no test. Furthermore, your doctor may ask for your medical history.

How is Atopic Dermatitis Treated?

The aim of the treatment is to relieve itching, reduce inflammation and prevent flare0ups in the future. Mild cases of eczema can be treated through self-care procedures and over-the-counter anti-itch creams. Few treatments for eczema are:

• Medications: antibiotics, corticosteroid ointments or creams, oral antihistamines, immunomodulators, injected or oral corticosteroids.
• Light therapy.

Prevention:

In order to prevent bout of eczema in future, try to avoid dry skin. Have a look to the following tips to find out how:
• Avoid taking baths more frequently.
• Carefully dry yourself.
• Use only synthetic detergents or certain soaps.
• Moisturize the skin.

 

By : Natural Health News