What is Atopic Dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis affects 10-20% of children and 1-3% of adults in developed countries. Although it is an hereditary (inherited disease), atopic eczema is aggravated by contact with or an intake of allergens. Other factors such as feeling stressed or run-down may also aggravate the condition. Atopic eczema often occurs in people with a history of allergy disorders such as asthma or hay fever. There is no single recognised cause of atopic dermatitis, and there is no long term cure. It can be treated in the short term by prevention – identifying the triggers for the sufferer’s allergic reactions, and avoiding those triggers, combined with topical or drug therapy.
Atopic dermatitis triggers may include:
•Food allergens – such as milk, nuts, cheese, tomatoes, wheat, yeast, soy, and corn. If children child avoid these foods early on, the frequency of reactions to these later in life is decreased dramatically. Breastfeeding is also believed to help to avoid reactions to these allergens.
•Wool or synthetic fibres
•Soaps and detergents
•Perfumes and cosmetics
•Environment – dust, cat and dog dander, cigarette smoke, excessive humid heat or cold can aggravate atopic eczema.
An allergy test, performed by applying various trigger materials with a needle to small scratches in the skin, then monitoring the reactions, can identify the triggers for an individual patient. The identified allergens should then be avoided or eliminated from the patient’s diet, lifestyle and environment.
Atopic dermatitis is also associated with a malfunction of the body’s immune system. Scientific research has shown that people with atopic eczema have a low level of an essential protein (cykotine) that the immune system needs to function optimally, and a high level of other cytokines that lead to allergic reactions.
Atopic dermatitis reactions are characterised by:
•Intense itching
•Dry skin
•Redness
•Swelling and cracking of the skin
•A seepage of clear fluid
•A rash in areas of the body such as the face, crook of the elbows or the backs of the knees
•Crusting and scaling
•Chronic or recurrent symptoms
Atopic dermatitis is not contagious, but often occurs in people with a personal or family history of atopic disorders i.e. eczema, hay fever, and asthma. The condition can “flare-up”, and become worse, followed by times when the skin clears up (remissions). Many children grow out of atopic dermatitis, though some may continue to suffer into adulthood.
