Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease that causes spots and rashes that are itchy. It usually starts in childhood and can keep getting worse into adulthood. There is no way to get rid of atopic dermatitis, but it can be controlled with the right care. Some ways to treat it are with corticosteroid creams, antihistamines, or prescription drugs.
Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis
Itching is the most common sign of atopic dermatitis, and it can be very bad. Some other common signs are:
- Skin that is dry and red.
- Rash that, when scratched, may ooze, leak clear fluid, or bleed.
- Skin that gets thicker and tougher.
The symptoms can get worse in more than one place at once, and they can show up in the same places or in new ones. Depending on age, the rash can look different and show up in different places on the body. However, the rash can happen anywhere on the body. In areas of skin inflammation, patients with darker skin often see their skin get darker or lighter.
Causes of Atopic Dermatitis
No one knows what causes atopic dermatitis, but scientists do know that changes in the skin’s protective layer can make it lose moisture. This can make the skin dry, which can lead to skin damage and inflammation. According to new research, inflammation directly makes a person feel itchy, which makes the person scratch. This makes the skin even worse and makes it more likely that bacteria will get in. Researchers do know that the following may contribute to changes in the skin barrier, which helps control moisture:
- Genes that have been changed.
- The immune system is not working well.
- Some things in the environment that people are exposed to.
Who Gets Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a common disease that usually starts when a person is an infant or young child. Atopic dermatitis goes away on its own before a child turns 13. But some kids with atopic dermatitis may still have symptoms in their teens and as adults. Some people get the disease for the first time when they are adults.
If you have a family history of atopic dermatitis, hay fever, or asthma, you are more likely to get it yourself. Research also shows that atopic dermatitis is more common in non-Hispanic black children and that women and girls are a little more likely than men and boys to get the disease.
To learn more contact Twacha Dermatology Clinics.