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Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a chronic skin disease that often occurs in childhood and can continue into adulthood. It is characterized by dry, itchy skin and can be aggravated by environmental factors and allergies. Treatment includes skin care and avoiding triggers, with severe cases requiring medication.
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic, noncontagious skin disease that usually occurs in infancy and childhood and potentially continues throughout adulthood. It commonly occurs when there is a family or personal history of allergies, such as asthma and hay fever, to which an individual has an intrinsic predisposition. Atopic dermatitis in children is characterized by dry, red, itchy skin and, depending on the severity, often causes pain and intense discomfort. Other symptoms include scaling, thickening, and blistering, or tiny blisters, just below the skin’s surface. Another concern with atopic dermatitis in babies is that it commonly leads to bacterial infections, which can further aggravate the problem.
Known as an inflammatory disease, atopic dermatitis can affect many areas of the body and include symptoms such as itching and dryness. It is an inherited disease whereby an individual has a predisposition to sensitive skin which is aggravated by environmental factors. Such irritants can include soap, detergents, and clothing that has a rough texture, such as wool. Other irritants can include allergies to pollen, certain foods and animal dander. Changes in temperature and climate, as well as emotional stress and frustration, are also known to exacerbate the problem.
Children with atopic dermatitis develop skin that is prone to breakouts and irritation. This is because they have a tendency to lose skin moisture more quickly than the average person. Rather than being stretchy, the skin becomes rough and sensitive, causing the affected person to itch and scratch. Scratching only aggravates the condition further resulting in an itch-scratch-itch cycle. After many years of scratching, the skin thickens or lichenifies.
The disease progresses through several stages and is usually discovered in early childhood through detailed observation of the appearance of redness and crying, resulting in crusted lesions and intense itching. By the age of one, atopic dermatitis in infants takes the form of scaly, oval lesions that usually appear on the arms, face, torso, and legs. Atopic dermatitis in children is very unpredictable; however, it usually subsides by age 3 or 4. Despite this, it can continue to flare up or break out throughout life. Generally, atopic dermatitis in children improves between 10 and 14 years of age.
Treatment of atopic dermatitis in children includes skin care such as consistent hydration and avoiding exposure to environmental triggers. It is also recommended to avoid scratching and discarding things that can cause emotional distress. In severe cases, a dermatologist prescribes corticosteroid creams or antibiotics to treat associated infections.
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