Atopic Dermatitis Treatment

At times, everybody might get itchy skin once in a while. Atopic dermatitis is one such condition, where your skin becomes red and itchy. It’s commonly seen in children but can occur to any age people. “Atopic” means a disease caused by allergic reactions and “Dermatitis” refers to a skin condition.

Atopic dermatitis also popularly known as eczema. It is a chronic condition with a burning sensation.

There are different types of eczema that causes itching and redness. But atopic dermatitis is a chronic type and most severe form of eczema. Some other examples of eczema include:

• Contact dermatitis caused due to direct contact with certain substances or due to an allergic reaction to it.
• Hand eczema also called hand dermatitis.
• Dyshidrotic eczema, a severe form of eczema which is seen only on the palms, fingers and soles of the feet.

signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis widely vary from person to person which include:

• Dry and scaly skin
• Itching, especially severe at night
• Red to brownish-grey patches in the infected areas
• Bubbled rashes that leak fluid and crust over when scratched
• Thickened and cracked skin
• Dark skin around the eyes
• lightened or darkened spots on the skin

Atopic dermatitis often occurs before the age of 5 and might continue to adulthood. In some people, it flares repeatedly and goes away after some time, for several years.

The specific cause of eczema is yet to find. Healthy skin always protects you from bacteria, irritants and allergens. If anyone in your family has it, then there might be a stronger chance of getting it to you or your children.

Some experts think, if anyone in your family has allergies, hay fever, or asthma, then your kids may get eczema. About half of the kids with eczema is accompanied by hay fever or asthma. Living in cold or polluted places may increase the risk of getting it.

Eczema isn’t contagious. Some things that trigger or make atopic dermatitis worse include:

• Strong soaps
• Perfumes, skincare products, and makeup
• Pollen, mould and animal dander
• Dry winter air and low humid places
• Long or hot showers
• Dry skin
• Sweating
• Certain foods

Take care and avoid the above triggers to minimize the condition.

Permanent cure for atopic dermatitis is yet to find. But some treatments and self-care can help to relieve itching and even prevent new outbreaks. The treatment includes avoiding harsh soaps, using skin moisturizers, and applying medicated creams or ointments.

If moisturizers and other self-care steps don’t help, your dermatologist may suggest some other treatments, including:

• Corticosteroid cream or ointment creams that control itching and helps to repair the skin.
• Antibiotic cream and oral antibiotics against bacterial skin infection.
• In case of severe situations, your doctor may prescribe oral drugs like prednisone to control inflammation.
• The FDA approved new injectable biologic dupilumab (Dupixent) is used if other treatments fail to work.
• If topical treatments failed or rapidly flaring up again after treatment, then light therapy treatment is used.

For more information or best treatment options, contact our dermatologist at Padma Clinic. If you are facing any kind of skin issues, consult our top doctors to get rid of them easily.