Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, which affects 20 percent of the child population. Sometimes it occurs in the form of outbreaks that usually produce intense itching, inflamed and reddened lesions, and peeling in the form of plaques.
On the occasion of World Atopic Dermatitis Day, the Spanish Society of Clinical Immunology, Allergology and Pediatric Asthma (SEICAP) recalled the importance of preventing this pathology from birth in children with a genetic predisposition to suffer from allergic diseases. Today, we give you all the keys to know more about this disease.
What is the atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema, is a chronic skin disease which usually occurs more frequently in children under six years. Its incidence has increased markedly in recent years among developed countries, and it is currently estimated that one in three newborns will develop this disease.
In most occasions, this disease is associated with atopic people; that is, those genetically predisposed to suffer from allergic diseases of any kind.
In Babies and more Atopic dermatitis: 11 tips to keep it at bay in infants and childrenWhen does it appear?
It can appear at any age, although Typically, the first manifestations occur in the lactating stage (towards the five months of life). In some cases, its appearance takes place in childhood (around two years).
What symptoms do you have?
In the lactating stage: The baby begins to develop seborrheic eczema lesions, which gradually acquires the appearance of dermatitis. The lesions are located, mainly, on the face, the scalp, the ears, the back of the hands and the extension areas of the extremities. Itching is a constant symptom.
In the childhood stage: the lesions are seen mainly in the folds of the extremities (elbows and knees), and are accompanied by intense itching, eczema with vesicles and coastal formation.
Puberty and adult stage: The most typical lesions are the so-called lichenification plaques, which consist of a thickening of the skin as a result of chronic scratching.
Other common symptoms are dry skin, whitish spots on the skin (pityriasis alba), rash of small itchy blisters that eventually form scabs and scars, vesicular lesions, irritative dermatitis (for example, during the dentition process around the mouth , in the diaper area ...) ...
Children with atopic dermatitis are also prone to certain infections, especially because of the herpes simplex virus, the cause of contagious molluscs and warts.
In Babies and more Infectious mollusks: one of the most frequent dermatological diseases in childhoodHow does this disease affect day to day?
As a consequence of intense itching that usually goes with atopic dermatitis, it is common for children to be especially irritable, annoying, tearful, and even their sleeping patterns are altered.
As the child grows older, he becomes more aware of what the disease looks like in the face of the outside world, and this it can affect self-esteem, especially, if the skin lesions are visible.
What complications can it present?
The most frequent complications are the fungal, bacterial or virus infections, which occur due to inflammation of the skin and scratching with long or dirty nails. In these cases, the doctor will dictate an antiviral, antibiotic or antifungal treatment, as appropriate.
When and how do symptoms appear?
It depends on each person and the environmental circumstances that occur. In this way, the symptoms can appear in the form of outbreaks of a certain duration (greater or lesser depending on the individual), and heal completely until the appearance of the next outbreak. But there are also people who between outbreaks continue with mild skin problems or even more intense symptoms on an ongoing basis.
What can cause the appearance of an outbreak?
exist environmental and immunological factors that can alter the skin barrier and cause the appearance of an outbreak in genetically predisposed people.
Irritating substances, stress, poor diet, dust mites, the use of certain soaps, very hot baths, synthetic fabrics and wool, poor hygiene, dry environment, excessive sweating ... can lead to the appearance of an outbreak or worsening of symptoms.
During the cold months, many children with atopic dermatitis worsen markedly, and improve in the warm months. Although the opposite can also happen, or even have outbreaks throughout the year, regardless of the weather.
In Babies and moreHow to take care of the delicate skin of the baby in winter Is it a contagious disease?
Do not. It is not a contagious disease, although the contact between people is very close and towels, cosmetic products, clothes are shared ...
Does dermatitis heal?
At 60% of children, symptoms become controlled so much that, over time, they tend to disappear, persisting only in many cases, dry skin. However, there are other groups of patients who will continue to have symptoms of greater or lesser intensity throughout their lives.
How is atopic dermatitis treated?
The most important thing is to keep the skin continuously hydrated, since dryness is the worst enemy of atopic dermatitis. Before an outbreak, the doctor will decide the best treatment to follow, which can go through the application of topical corticosteroids, oral antihistamines or oral corticosteroids in the most rebellious cases.
As for the daily skin care, the AEP and the AADA (Association of Those Affected by Atopic Dermatitis) advise following these steps:
- Avoid the factors we have mentioned before, and that can trigger an outbreak
- Dress with cotton or linen clothes and cut clothing labels
- Use acid PH soap
- Opt for short showers instead of baths, and dry your skin without rubbing
In Babies and more Daily bathing is not bad for children with atopic dermatitis, according to a new studyCan you prevent its appearance?
He 50% of cases of atopic dermatitis are diagnosed during the first year of life, according to SEICAP data, therefore its prevention is essential in the case of Babies with a genetic predisposition to be allergic.
This prevention will involve the use of emollient creams to moisturize the skin, since it has been shown that if the balance of the skin barrier based on hydration is maintained, the development of atopic dermatitis can be avoided.
What is the relationship between atopic dermatitis and asthma / allergies?
According to SEICAP data, about half of children with atopic dermatitis will develop asthma or other allergic diseases throughout their lives.
In Babies and more Asthma in children: how to relieve symptomsDepending on the severity of the dermatitis, the doctor may recommend allergy testing, since atopic dermatitis may be the first manifestation of the so-called "allergic march", which is the ease that an individual has to develop successive allergies, among which food would be found.
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