The terms atopic dermatitis and atopic eczema are used interchangeably. It is one of the more common forms of eczema found today and its occurrence is on the increase. It is prevalent in people who have a genetic predisposition to allergies, asthma or hay fever. Atopic eczema cannot be cured. Treatments aim to control the symptoms.

It can be classified according to its occurrence in three age periods:

Infantile - age two to about seven and is often called Infantile Atopic Eczema (Dermatitis).

Childhood - early childhood to puberty called Childhood Atopic Eczema (Dermatitis)

Adult - adolescent and adult called Adolescent and Adult Atopic Eczema (Dermatitis)

It affects about 10% of infants and 3% of adults in the U.S. Most cases develop in children under the age of five and it is unusual to develop atopic dermatitis after the age of twenty. In about 2 out of 3 cases, eczema will disappear by the mid teens or be less of a problem.

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Symptoms

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic itchy skin condition, occurring in people who are susceptible to allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever. People who suffer from this allergic condition are said to be atopic.

General Symptoms of Your Atopic Eczema Can Include:

• • Your skin becomes unnaturally dry, red and itchy. It takes on the appearance of being dry.



• • Scratching your skin may result in red bumps forming. An itching sensation may develop that leads you to scratch the itchy rash or red bumps excessively. These can your skin condition to worsen and thicken (lichenification).



• • Sometimes blisters develop and turn weepy where inflammations occur.



• • The most common areas affected are next to skin creases such as behind knees, elbows, wrists and around your neck. However any area of the skin may become infected.



• • The eczema symptoms can last from a few days to a few weeks or months.

Infantile Atopic Eczema

Symptoms normally occur on the head and face and these gradually spread to the trunk and other areas of the body. Sometimes the facial lesions around the mouth and jaw can be further aggravated by chemicals in baby food.

Childhood Atopic Eczema

The skin becomes dry and often progresses to a thickened leathery inflamed state (lichenification). The next step may result in oozing of the skin, which may form crusts and scales.

Adolescent or Adult Atopic Eczema

The symptoms are similar to the above but the lichenification progresses and can become quite large. Rough, dry dark brown patches can occur all over the body, particularly the upper body. This form of eczema is normally severe and more widely distributed than those of childhood eczema.

Some Atopic Eczema Triggers

Dry skin:

Atopic eczema causes the moisture holding capacity of your skin to be diminished resulting in your skin to become drier. This intern causes the protective barrier properties of your skin to be affected? The condition becomes difficult to control when factors such as winters (cold, dry air), frequent washing with very hot water, soaps and antiseptics, low humidity, and high temperatures make the skin still drier.

Irritants:

Irritants such as soaps, harsh detergents, wool, cosmetics and dust among others can make your eczema worse.

If the eczema is caused by cleaning and personal products you use in your home then you might need to find safer products to replace existing ones. Please contact me for guidance with this.

Infections:

People with atopic eczema are prone to developing secondary infections because of their dry, cracked skin. Sometimes their immune system is too weak to fight these infections.

Allergens and irritants:

Allergens are also well-known triggers of atopic dermatitis and can cause it to get worse.

Emotional factors:

Stress can cause, maintain and aggravate atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis itself can produce

Climate:

Certain climatic conditions can act as triggers. Winters low humidity helps in drying up the skin. Cold, damp climates can make the condition resistant to treatment. During the summer due to exposure to ultra-violet light can improve your condition.

Development of Atopic Dermatitis

The exact cause of atopic eczema is not known. However it is known that when the lipid (oily) barrier of the skin is reduced, this leads to an increase of water loss and increases the incidence of a dry skin.

Some cells of the immune system release chemicals under the skin surface which can cause some inflammation. People with atopic eczema manufacture large amounts of the antibody IgE in an attempt to counteract your sensitivity to substances inhaled, eaten or come in contact with your skin. The purpose of IgE is to act as a catalyst for the protective cells of the immune system, to recognize and try to neutralize attacking allergens or other foreign bodies. It is common for people who have Atopic Eczema, to be allergic to multiple substances.

Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Options

Moisturizers can help reduce the instance of eczema as well as exposure to eczema triggers.

Conclusion

The incidence of atopic eczema is becoming more common now days. There is no proven single cause for atopic dermatitis and it is normally a result of a combination of factors in someone who is genetically prone to eczema.

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