Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

What are the symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopic Dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a non-contagious skin condition where the skin becomes extremely itchy and inflamed, causing redness, flaking, swelling, cracking, weeping, and crusting.

The terms "dermatitis" and "eczema" are often used interchangeably. Dermatitis can be "acute" or "chronic" or both. Acute eczema refers to a rapidly evolving red rash which may be blistered and swollen. Chronic dermatitis refers to a longstanding irritable area that is itchy and inflamed. It is often darker than the surrounding skin.

How can I treat it?

Natural Remedies

An important aspect of treatment is to identify and tackle the contributing factors.

• Use a moisturizer frequently. Apply shea butter or another active moisturizer liberally and often, particularly after bathing, and when itchy.
• Avoid harsh soaps. Reduce how often you bath or shower, using lukewarm water. Showers are better. Replace standard soap with a substitute such as a mild detergent soap-free cleanser.
• Avoid substances that will irritate your skin. Protect your skin from dust, water, solvents, detergents, injury; wear soft smooth cool clothes; wool is best avoided.

Prescription Medications

If your condition persists, we encourage you to see a dermatologist. The dermatologist may prescribe one or more of the following:

• Corticosteroids
• Antibiotics
• Antihistamines
• Immunosuppressants
• Topical Immunomodulators
• Biologic Response Modifiers
• Antimetabolites

How long will it take to go away

If you apply an active moisturizer to your skin two or three times a day, you are likely to begin to see an improvement in less than a week.

If the symptoms persist for longer than two weeks, you may want to consult a dermatologist.

What causes Atopic Dermatitis?

There is no known single cause for atopic dermatitis: it probably represents more than one condition. Atopic Dermatitis affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives. Because it results from a variety of different causes, it has various patterns.

Atopic dermatitis is a disease of the whole body that manifests in the skin. Events that upset the body in other ways (such as viral infection, eating certain foods) may have an effect on the atopic dermatitis. Flares of the condition seem to occur without provocation and can be very frustrating.

The following factors may cause an exacerbation of atopic dermatitis.

Dry skin: People with atopic dermatitis usually have a dry skin. This is due to reduced water-holding capacity and loss of barrier function.

Factors that make the skin even drier can make the eczema harder to control:

• Winter weather
• Frequent washing particularly with very hot water
• Harsh soaps
• Low humidity
• Chlorine in swimming pools

Irritants: Most people with eczema will notice that certain things seem to irritate their skin with immediate stinging or itching and may also cause a flare of eczema:

• Harsh detergents
• Wool against the skin
• Cosmetic and perfumes
• Soap
• Prescribed and over-the-counter treatment creams
• Dusty environments

Infection: People who have atopic dermatitis are particularly prone to skin infections. This is in part due to breaks in dry, split skin, from scratching and from diminished barrier function. They also seem to have a reduced ability to fight these common organisms. The bacteria that cause infection are also commonly found on healthy skin. The oil on healthy skin protects against invasive infection. Bacteria thrive and invade dry skin. As a result people with atopic dermatitis frequently suffer from boils, folliculitis and infected eczema. The infection causes the eczema to worsen and become more resistant to the usual treatment with moisturizer and topical steroids. Antibiotics are often required to eliminate the infection and control the eczema.