HEALTH TIME
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema or just eczema, is a chronic
inflammatory skin condition with unknown cause. 
However, it is normally
found in people with sensitive and dry skin with location on a flexion
site of a joint, typically knees and elbows. Other sites may be the face
and upper body. The rash in an acute phase is typically red with swelling
and sometimes vesicles. In a chronic phase the skin is thickened. The
rash itches.
Atopy describes a group of disorders which include allergic rhinitis,
asthma and eczema. However, the connection between these disorders is
now questionable.
Eczema affects 5 to 20 percent of children, and 2 to 3 percent of adults.
It is common worldwide, however it is more frequent in urban areas and
in developed countries. The majority of atopic dermatitis has an onset
before age 5. In persons with eczema, atopy is commonly found in other
family members. The disease seizes in nearly 40 percent by adulthood.
Treatment of eczema is to avoid trigger factors and to treat symptoms.
No medication exist which can heal this condition. Trigger factors might
be heat, low humidity and emotional stress. Food allergy might reveal
itself as atopic dermatitis, or a known food allergy might worsen atopic
dermatitis. For all persons with eczema it is important to hydrate the
skin, by applying lotions or creams with low water content. In an acute
phase, where the skin is inflamed, various creams which contain glucocorticoids
(steroid) might be applied with good effect. Newer products called calcineurin
inhibitors can also be used. To expose the skin to sun is also of help.
UVA and UVB are also used to treat atopic dermatitis. The itch can be
treated with various antihistamines.
Complications such bacterial and viral infections should be treated with
proper antivirals or antibiotics.
If you have further questions with regards to this topic, feel
free to send me an e-mail at drmarianne@mamizeit.com.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Dr. Marianne
MARIANNE
EFSKIND Occupation: intern in public health and family medicine in Vik. |
 |
mamizeits Dr. Marianne
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