Atopic dermatitis, a common form of eczema, is a persistent condition which causes itchy rashes due to a person’s skin’s inability to retain moisture. The condition is not contagious but is fairly common as 20% of the world’s population suffers from it.
Atopic dermatitis symptoms can vary from unnoticeable to extremely severe. It is not life-threatening but can strongly impact a person’s quality of life due to its uncomfortable nature.
Symptoms
Itching is the most prevalent symptom that occurs with atopic dermatitis. The itching is typically persistent and severe and will usually be confined to the rash. These rashes appear as red, scaly, and dry plaques. If patients scratch the skin, the rashes may turn into fluid-filled pockets that can ooze. It is possible to limit the length of a reaction if a patient refrains from scratching.
Causes
The underlying reason for why atopic dermatitis occurs is still unknown. Still, people with a family history of this condition are more likely to develop it than those who don’t have it in their family history.
It is possible to figure out environmental triggers that cause outbreaks. Some of the most common include dust, pollen, mold, household allergens, and dander. Cold weather, stress, food allergies, and cleaning products may also cause the outbreak.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually straightforward and easy, but often times, doctors may recommend a skin biopsy to rule out conditions.
Treatments
There is no cure for atopic dermatitis but with proper treatment, symptoms can be minimized for long durations of time. For people with mild cases, over-the-counter moisturizers are able to treat the rash effectively. In addition to avoiding environmental triggers, along with solid moisturizing regimen, a visit to your physician may not even be necessary after diagnosis. If all treatment methods you have tried have proven ineffective, it is advised to see a doctor who may prescribe you potent antihistamines or a steroid to reduce itch and inflammation.
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