Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is an inflammation of the skin (dermatitis).It causes itchy, red, swollen and cracked skin. clear liquids may come from affected areas, which thicken over time.While this can happen at any age, it usually starts in childhood, and the severity of the illness changes as you get older. most children under one year of age may be affected.The back of the knee and front of the elbow are the most common areas affected as children age.In adults, hands and feet are the most common area of infection.scratching exacerbates symptoms and increases the risk of skin infections in those affected.Many atopic dermatitis patients develop hay fever or asthma.
The cause is unclear, but it is believed to be related to genetics, immune system dysfunction, environmental exposure and skin permeability difficulties.If one identical twin is affected, there’s an 85 percent chance the other will be affected as well.People living in cities and in dry climates are more vulnerable.Exposure to certain chemicals or frequent hand washing can make symptoms worse.While emotional stress may worsen symptoms, it’s not the cause.The disease is not contagious.Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and signs.Other diseases that must be excluded before diagnosis include contact dermatitis, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
Treatment involves avoiding things that make the condition worse, daily bathing with application of a moisturising cream afterwards, applying steroid creams when flares occur, and medications to help with itchiness. Things that commonly make it worse include wool clothing, soaps, perfumes, chlorine, dust, and cigarette smoke. Phototherapy may be useful in some people. Steroid pills or creams based on calcineurin inhibitors may occasionally be used if other measures are not effective.Antibiotics (either by mouth or topically) may be needed if a bacterial infection develops.Dietary changes are only needed if food allergies are suspected.
Patients with AD usually have dry and scaly skin all over their body. Besides the diaper area, patients may also have very itchy red color with spots, which may form lesions on the arm or leg, face and neck bend.
AD usually occurs in the upper eyelid, where symptoms such as dennie-morgan suborbital folds, subauricular fissures, and periorbital pigmentation can be seen.Hyperpigmentation after inflammation in the neck leads to a typical ‘dirty neck’ appearance.Moss, peeling and erosion or scab on the trunk of a tree may indicate secondary infection.Wrist, knuckle, ankle, foot, hand, and other parts are curved distribution, edge fuzzy, or no super linear distribution.
Topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, have been shown to be effective against AD. If topical corticosteroids and moisturizers fail, try using topical calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus or pimelomus, although their use is controversial because some studies have shown they increase the risk of skin cancer or lymphoma.A 2007 meta-analysis showed that pimecrolimus was less effective than corticosteroids and tacrolimus.However, a 2015 meta-analysis showed that topical tacrolimus and picrolimus were more effective than low-dose topical corticosteroids, and there was no evidence of an increased risk of malignancy or skin atrophy. other alternatives include systemic immunosuppressants such as , , -1b, mycophenolate and azathioprine. antidepressants and can be used to control itching.Crisaborole was approved for topical treatment of mild to moderate eczema in 2016. in 2017, the biological agent dupilumab was approved for the treatment of moderate to severe eczema
There is preliminary evidence that allergic immunotherapy is effective for atopic dermatitis, but the evidence quality is not high.The treatment involves a series of injections or drops into a solution containing the allergen
Antibiotics, either oral or topical, are commonly used to treat excessive growth of staphylococcus aureus in the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis.However, the 2008 meta-analysis found no clear benefits
Posted on May 18, 2023