Dermatitis, which is an umbrella term for skin irritation, is very common. One of the most common skin conditions is atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a skin condition that causes red blotches that are extremely itchy. Typically, these itchy blotches show up on the face, legs, and arms.
Atopic dermatitis is considered a chronic skin condition, which means it lasts for an extended period of time. Although this skin condition is most common in children ages two to four, eczema affects people of all ages. One in four adults experience eczema-related symptoms. Females are also more likely to experience this condition than males.
Some people mistake eczema for other conditions or a simple case of skin irritation since the rash-like blotches come and go. It’s also common for eczema symptoms to be accompanied by other conditions such as asthma or hay fever symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis
For the most part, atopic dermatitis symptoms show up within the first five years of life, making it easy to diagnose. Usually, infants have crusty scales on both their face and scalp. For older children and adults, they often experience severely itchy rashes in several places including:
- Behind their neck
- Elbow and knee creases
- Face
- Wrists and forearms
When they’re itched, these red rashes can turn into thick scars that turn darker in color over time. In addition to itchy red rashes, many people also experience tiny little bumps and flaky skin. Most symptoms occur or worsen immediately before.
The problem with scratching these rashes is that it leads to infection. In addition to having red bumps, there’s also pus within infected rash outbreaks. This sign of infection requires immediate medical attention.
Causes of Atopic Dermatitis
Currently, the root cause of eczema is unknown. However, there are factors that increase the chances of developing eczema. Typically, healthy skin acts as a barrier against bacteria and irritants. People who have eczema usually have a genetic malfunction that makes it difficult for the skin to perform its natural duty. Not to mention certain environmental factors like allergies, heat, and low humidity that play a role in skin irritations. People with food allergies are especially vulnerable to developing eczema. There are also topical irritants that worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms like:
- Perfumed soaps and detergents
- Chemicals
- Various clothing materials like wool
- Mold
Higher stress levels are responsible for regular flare-ups in eczema patients. Frequent stress spikes caused by anxiety causes inflammation on the skin. People who cannot find the root cause of their symptoms should speak to their doctor for an allergen consultation.
Atopic Dermatitis Treatment
Currently, there is not a treatment that completely cures eczema. However, there are steps that minimize atopic dermatitis symptoms. The key to assisting with eczema symptoms is to relieve the itching. For people with mild symptoms, avoiding irritants and triggers is the best possible way to manage symptoms. It’s also a great idea to use moisturizers that specialize in lubricating and softening the skin. These can be used in baths and applied topically.
In moderate to severe cases, meeting with a dermatologist about treatment options is the way to go. Oftentimes, they recommend medicated creams. These creams reduce the redness and itchiness of the skin rashes. It’s best to only apply thin layers for optimal results.
If these treatment options don’t work, specialists recommend more drastic approaches like immunosuppressants and UV therapy. These are ongoing therapy options that are often paired with natural options like elimination diets.
Eczema symptoms are inconvenient. However, they don't have to ruin the sufferer's quality of life. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, treatment may be as simple as an elimination diet or avoiding triggers. For severe cases, it's important to seek professional treatment options. Both babies and sensitive groups like pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should speak to healthcare providers as soon as eczema symptoms begin appearing.