- Symptoms of atopic dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis in the baby
- How the diagnosis is made
- What are the causes
Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, is a condition characterized by the appearance of signs of inflammation of the skin, such as redness, itching and dryness of the skin. This type of dermatitis is more common in adults and children who also have allergic rhinitis or asthma.
The signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis can be triggered by several factors, such as heat, stress, anxiety, skin infections and excessive sweating, for example, and the diagnosis is made by the dermatologist basically by assessing the symptoms presented by the person.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis appear cyclically, that is, there are periods of improvement and worsening, the main symptoms being:
- Local redness; Small lumps or blisters; Localized swelling; Skin peeling due to dryness; Itching; Crusts may form; Skin thickening or darkening may occur in the chronic phase of the disease.
Atopic dermatitis is not contagious and the main sites affected by dermatitis are the folds of the body, such as the elbows, knees or neck, or the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, however, in the most severe cases, it can reach other sites of the body, such as back and chest, for example.
Atopic dermatitis in the baby
In the case of the baby, the symptoms of atopic dermatitis can appear in the first year of life, but they can also appear in children up to 5 years of age, and can last until adolescence or throughout life.
Childhood atopic dermatitis can happen anywhere on the body, however it is more common to happen on the face, cheeks and on the outside of the arms and legs.
How the diagnosis is made
There is no specific diagnostic method for atopic dermatitis, since there are several factors that can trigger the symptoms of the disease. Thus, the diagnosis of contact dermatitis is made by the dermatologist or allergist based on the observation of the person's symptoms and clinical history.
In some cases, when it is not possible to identify the cause of contact dermatitis only through the patient's report, the doctor may request an allergy test in order to identify the cause.
What are the causes
Atopic dermatitis is a genetic disease whose symptoms can appear and disappear according to some stimuli, such as a dusty environment, dry skin, excessive heat and sweat, skin infections, stress, anxiety and some foods, for example. In addition, atopic dermatitis symptoms can be triggered by very dry, humid, hot or cold environments. Know other causes of atopic dermatitis.
From the identification of the cause, it is important to move away from the triggering factor, in addition to using skin moisturizers and anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory drugs that should be recommended by the dermatologist or allergist. Understand how the treatment for atopic dermatitis is done.
