Atopic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin, also known as atopic eczema, which causes different lesions on the skin, such as plaques or small reddish lumps, which tend to itch a lot and, in most cases, appear in babies or children up to 5 years, despite they can appear at any age.
This skin inflammation has an allergic origin and is not contagious, and the most affected sites vary according to age, being more common in the folds of the arms and knees, and may also appear on the cheeks and close to the babies' ears, or in the neck, hands and feet of adults. Although there is no cure, atopic dermatitis can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs in ointment or tablets, and with skin hydration.
Main symptoms
Atopic dermatitis can appear in any baby or adult who suffers from any type of allergy, being very common in people who have allergic rhinitis or asthma, and for this reason, it is considered a form of skin allergy. This reaction can happen at any time, but it can also be triggered by a food allergy, dust, fungi, heat, sweat or as a response to stress, anxiety and irritability.
In addition, atopic dermatitis has genetic and hereditary influences, as it is very common for people with this disease to have parents who are also allergic. The most common symptoms are:
- Swelling in the skin; Redness; Itching; Peeling of the skin; Formation of small balls.
These lesions can often appear in periods of an outbreak and disappear when the allergic reaction improves. However, when the lesions are not treated or remain on the skin for a long time, changing to a chronic form, they may become darker in color and look like a crust, a situation called lichenification. Learn to recognize the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
As the allergic reaction causes itching and injury, there is a great predisposition for infection of the lesions, which can become more swollen, painful and with purulent secretion.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is made by the dermatologist mainly by assessing the signs and symptoms presented by the person. In addition, the doctor must take into account the person's clinical history, that is, the frequency with which the symptoms appear and in what situations they appear, that is, if it appears in times of stress or as a result of allergic rhinitis, for example.
It is important that the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is made as soon as the first symptoms appear, so that the treatment can be started soon after and complications such as skin infections, sleeping problems due to itching, fever, asthma, flaking of the skin are prevented. skin and chronic itching.
How to treat
Treatment for atopic dermatitis can be done with the use of corticoid creams or ointments prescribed by the dermatologist, such as Dexchlorpheniramine or Dexamethasone, twice a day. It is also important to adopt some habits to reduce inflammation and treat crises, such as:
- Use urea-based moisturizers, avoiding products such as color and smell; Do not bathe in hot water; Avoid taking more than one bath per day; Avoid foods that are more likely to cause allergies, such as shrimp, peanuts or milk.
In addition, pill medications, such as anti-allergies or corticosteroids, prescribed by the dermatologist, may be needed to reduce itching and severe inflammation. Understand more about treatment for atopic dermatitis.
