Atopic dermatitis, the most common childhood skin disease: Causes, symptoms, treatment

1 out of 5 children worldwide suffer from atopic dermatitis, but in adulthood its incidence may be considerably reduced. The disease has a healing tendency towards 5 years of age or puberty. Allergic medicine doctor Adriana Nicolae tells CSID how we can keep the disease under control. Atopic dermatitis is the most well-known chronic skin disease in childhood. We deduce from the two terms that we are dealing with a skin inflammation, that is, dermatitis, which occurs only in those who have a genetically predisposed program to develop various allergies, which means atopy. Children with atopic dermatitis often come from atopic families, their parents or other close relatives being diagnosed with various allergic diseases.

Although the first signs may occur even a few weeks after birth, the illness manifests itself from the third month of life of the young. In response, the little ones will start scratching, rubbing their diapers or things around them, and quickly develop a reddish, wet scar on the cheeks, throat, trunk, but especially on the rounded areas of the hand and foot, . Because of the itching, they will shake, cry much, and have serious sleep problems. Many of them may have more colic, may spill or have diarrhea, mucus, but even blood, as a result of food allergies that they can develop along the way. Generally, those areas where the skin is intensely scratched are over-infected and covered with crusts that get a yellowish look, Adriana Nicolae.

I draw attention to the fact that the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is symptomatic, itch-centered, not just dry skin. It is also good to know that we are dealing with an extremely capricious disease that can have multiple relapses, and its causes are hard to identify. Every little girl with atopic dermatitis has great chances to join the so-called atopy march that can expose it to life during various other challenges such as food allergies, rhinitis or allergic asthma. All these are good news. If allergic skin inflammation occurs from the first few months of life, it may take up to about 3 years of age, unlike those forms of atopic dermatitis that begin later but still persist in adulthood.

However, overwhelmingly it can be cured spontaneously, which is not true of other allergic diseases, except for some food allergies. Factors that hinder its ascent Although the cause of atopic dermatitis is genetic, it can be triggered, aggravated and maintained by the action of various environmental factors such as pollution, smoking, contact with respiratory allergens such as dust mites, pollen . Not too neglected is the excessive washing of babies, the use of inappropriate cosmetic products, strong ingredients, high temperature variations or moisture to which vulnerable skin of the baby is exposed. Hygiene rules If we talk about the hygiene rules that apply to babies with atopic dermatitis, we should remember that the bath should be as short as possible and not in a daily case, as this would encourage the appearance of rashes and the removal of good bacteria . 1.

Avoid hot water, the ideal temperature being 37 ° Celsius. 2. It is good to use soaps or shower gels from cosmetics without perfume, preservatives, artificial dyes or other harmful ingredients. After bathing, the skin should be lightly buffered, not rubbed with rough towels. 3.

Skin hydration will be done immediately after bathing. Also use a cream or conditioner from the same special dermatocosmetics range. 4. The little one will be clothed with cotton robes, wool, rough fabrics or synthetic fabrics will be avoided. These will be washed with special hypoallergenic detergents, free of conditioner, at high temperatures, and will be rinsed additionally.

5. When changing nappies, it is good to wash the little one at the sink and use the wet, disinfectant napkins as soon as possible. When used, they should be free of alcohol, parabens, perfumes and various other irritating or allergic chemical components. 6. Do not crowd your baby's room with pieces of furniture without obvious utility and do not surround it with plush toys.

Treatment of dermatitis In essence, treatment of an atopic dermatitis condition can only be a complex one, centered on the idea of ​​permanent hydration and the lack of additional aggression of the hypeactive and sensitized skin. As we have already said, cleaning or washing of the skin should be done with special products that will not contain detergents or degreasers and will be free of perfumes and preservatives. After bathing, the skin will be quickly greased, so that its protective barrier can be restored, using special emollients with different textures depending on the acute or chronic phase of the disease. It is recommended to use only those products belonging to dermatocosmetics brands whose safety profile has been verified and certified by clinical trials. In addition to these, acute corticosteroids or immunomodulators will be needed when inflammation of the skin can no longer be controlled by softening.

The itching can also be controlled by applying thermal water compresses. It will be used to relieve symptoms. The treatment plan will follow some mandatory principles, but it will always be personalized, because other associated allergies will be considered and may require special prevention and treatment measures such as possible microbial or viral infections. We have to understand that atopic dermatitis does not follow rules, its evolution has no logic. Thus, remedies that have worked perfectly for a while can suddenly become ineffective.

Of course, you can use to control the itching of the skin and certain natural preparations with antihistamine properties, but they must be chosen with caution so as not to overlap with various pre-existing allergies or even trigger other allergic sensitization. It is important to permanently control the intake of vitamin D, but also the good functioning of the intestinal flora, to help you carefully selected prebiotics and prebiotics. It is important to implement the new approach to diversifying baby food. It is preferable that strong allergenic foods are not introduced to older ages, for fear of food allergies. If they appear in the menu at an early stage, the little one will have greater chances to tolerate them.

All this new strategy must be followed under the strict guidance of the pediatrician and allergologist. If you have a baby with atopic dermatitis, do not choose to seek the advice of some people without advice but go to a team of pediatrician, dermatologist and allergologist. .