- Treatment for atopic dermatitis
- 1. Avoid the causes
- 2. Use of ointments and creams
- 3. Use of antihistamine drugs
- 4. Home treatment
- Signs of improvement and worsening of atopic dermatitis
Treatment for atopic dermatitis should be guided by a dermatologist as it usually takes several months to find the most effective treatment to relieve symptoms.
Thus, the treatment is started only with daily baths with warm water to keep the skin clean and application of emollient creams, such as Mustela or Noreva, twice a day to keep the skin well hydrated and healthy.
Treatment for atopic dermatitis
1. Avoid the causes
To treat atopic dermatitis it is important to identify and avoid coming into contact with the factors that trigger the symptoms. Thus, it is recommended:
- Avoid putting perfume or perfumed lotions on the skin; Avoid contact with substances that can develop or worsen symptoms, such as pollen or pool water; Wear cotton clothes, avoiding those made of synthetic fabrics; Avoid eating foods that can cause adverse reactions - Learn how to eat for dermatitis; Avoid very hot environments that favor sweat.
In addition to avoiding the causes, it is recommended not to take very hot and prolonged baths, as they dry out the skin, dry the skin with a soft towel and use moisturizer daily. It is important that this care is continued even when the symptoms of atopic dermatitis disappear to prevent the skin from becoming too dry.
2. Use of ointments and creams
The use of ointments and creams should be recommended by the dermatologist to relieve and control symptoms. Corticosteroid creams, such as Betamethasone or Dexamethasone, help to relieve itching, swelling and redness of the skin, however, they should always be used under the guidance of the doctor as they can aggravate symptoms or cause infections, for example.
Other creams that may be indicated by the doctor are repairing creams, such as Tacrolimus or Pimecrolimos, which help to increase the skin's defenses, keeping it looking normal and healthy and preventing itching from occurring.
In the case of atopic dermatitis in the baby, it is also recommended to consult the pediatrician to select the best treatment, since not all treatments can be used in children.
See which ointments are most suitable for the main skin problems.
3. Use of antihistamine drugs
Depending on the severity of atopic dermatitis, the doctor may recommend the use of allergy remedies, such as diphenhydramine or triprolidine, which relieve the itchy symptoms and help the patient fall asleep during dermatitis attacks, as they cause drowsiness.
In some cases, in addition to the use of antihistamine remedies, the doctor may recommend phototherapy, which is a type of treatment that consists of exposing the skin to ultraviolet rays to reduce redness and swelling of the skin layers.
4. Home treatment
A great home treatment for atopic dermatitis is to put 1 cup of oatmeal in 1 liter of cold and then apply the mixture on the affected skin for about 15 minutes. Then, wash the skin with warm water and mild soap and dry without rubbing the towel on the skin.
Oats are a natural substance with soothing properties that help to relieve irritation and itching of the skin. Oats can also be replaced with cornstarch, as they have a similar action.
Signs of improvement and worsening of atopic dermatitis
Signs of improvement in atopic dermatitis may appear after the first week of treatment and include a reduction in redness, swelling and itching of the skin.
The signs of worsening of atopic dermatitis are more common when it is not possible to find a cause for the problem and adapt the treatment, which may include the appearance of wounds on the affected skin, bleeding, skin pain and even fever above 38ºC. In these cases, it is recommended to go to the emergency room to start treatment for infection.
