What is Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis; It is a skin disease that is more common especially in infancy and childhood, progresses with exacerbations and improvements, manifests with itching, and dandruff and rashes on the skin.
Why Does Atopic Dermatitis Occur?
The exact cause of the disease is unknown. However, most people with atopic dermatitis have a personal or family history of allergies (asthma, eczema, hay fever). It is thought that the disease occurs with the effect of environmental triggering factors in people with genetic predisposition. In this disease, the protective barrier property of the skin is impaired and it becomes open to infections.
What Are the Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis?
Dry skin and intensely itchy red and scaly, sometimes watery lesions in some areas are the most common symptoms of the disease. It is most common on the face, trunk, arms and legs in infants, and on the inner elbows, back of the knees, ankles and hands in older children and adults. Young babies may experience restlessness due to itching.
What Factors Increase Atopic Dermatitis?
Dry skin, bathing with hot water, infections, stress, some soaps and cleaners, woolen clothes, smoking, some foods, animal hair and plant pollen, heat and climate changes are known to increase the disease.
How Is Atopic Dermatitis Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is made by physical examination findings and clinical history. No laboratory examination is required. If there is an infection secondary to atopic dermatitis, a laboratory test can be performed to investigate the causative agent.
How Is Atopic Dermatitis Treated?
Since the disease is recurrent, the most important step in the treatment is the avoidance of the aggravating factors. In addition, regardless of the severity of the disease, regular use of appropriate moisturizers is one of the most important steps in treatment. Drug therapy is determined by the extent and severity of the disease. Cortisone creams, anti-inflammatory creams, anti-itch medications, ultraviolet light, immunosuppressants are some of the treatment options.
