Atopic dermatitis (otherwise known as atopic or infantile (baby) eczema), is a chronic, pruritic (itchy), and inflammatory skin disease that occurs primarily during childhood, and its course is characterized by outbreaks and remissions.
Synopsis
Atopic dermatitis plays a key role in the subsequent occurrence and development of other allergic diseases. This is due to the atopic march. By the term “atopic march” we mean the pattern of allergic disease occurrence from infancy through to adolescence and adulthood; atopic dermatitis is usually the starting point, which is often followed by a food allergy (to milk, egg, cereal, fish, nuts, etc.), while, after that, allergic rhinitis and allergic bronchial asthma develop.
In the majority of cases, it occurs for the first time during the first 2 years of life, with severely dry skin, either locally, or, more often, all over the body, as well as characteristic skin damage, such as red, irritated, slightly swollen, and very dry skin, which may have small wounds and serum flow (i.e. “running” fluid).
Chronic atopic dermatitis results from a combination of interactions among various factors
Causes
• Impaired function of the skin barrier
• Immunological factors
• Environmental factors
• Genetic predisposition
Instructions
It is recommended to avoid substances that may irritate the skin (soaps, chemicals, etc.), while attention should be paid to foods such as milk, egg, cereal, nuts, soy, and fish, since they can exacerbate the problem.
Treatment
Skin treatment with moisturizing care plays a central role in addressing the problem. Cortisone preparations are a short-term therapeutic intervention, when moisturization itself does not provide sufficient protection to the epidermis barrier.
When there is an outbreak of the disease, a cortisone ointment is administered. To prevent outbreaks, there are special drugs that are called local calcineurin inhibitors, while antihistamine drugs are used to reduce severe itching.
