Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis
"The Itch that Rashes"
Atopic Dermatitis is a common skin condition that affects approximately 10 to 20 percent of patients worldwide. Atopic Dermatitis presents 65 percent of the time in patients less than a year old and 90 percent have the condition before age five. When atopic dermatitis appears in infancy it is referred to as “Infantile Eczema”. Since atopic dermatitis is a chronic recurring condition, which children may or may not outgrow, it is important to understand the condition and how to maintain it.
Patients with atopic dermatitis typically present with an intense itch that needs to be scratched. Scratching then leads to redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, crusting, scaling, thickening and pigmentary changes of the skin. This intense itch may be widespread or confined to certain areas, such as the arms and legs or the face of infants.
There are many other conditions that can mimic atopic dermatitis, so it is important that you are properly diagnosed and under the care of a dermatologist. Maintenance therapy and lifestyle changes are key to controlling this skin condition. Once you have been properly diagnosed first and foremost, the intense itching must be controlled and the inflammatory response suppressed. The dermatologist may utilize an antihistamine to control the itching and a topical steroid for a two to three week period to suppress the inflammatory response, which will also decrease the itching. Maintenance therapies may include immunomodulators, such as Protopic or Elidel; barrier repair creams (to decrease transepidermal water loss); and potentially a keratolytic cream to areas of lichenification (thickened areas of the skin).
Lifestyle changes for the Atopic Dermatitis Patient
- Frequently apply an appropriate hypoallergenic moisturizer and cleanse with a liquid soap rather than a bar soap.
- Avoid products with perfumes and dyes.
- Avoid tight clothing and clothing that causes you to itch, such as wool.
- Avoid hot baths and moisturize on damp skin right after bathing.
- Avoid excessive heat or cold since some atopic dermatitis patients have flares with changes in temperature.
- Avoid specific known allergens; this can allow for relief and decrease flares.
If you or your child is suffering from this frustrating disease then it is time to make an appointment with the providers at Advanced Dermatology. TAKE CONTROL, STOP THE ITCH!!!
Risha Bellomo, MPAS, PA-C
Waterford Lakes Office