atopic eczema

• what is atopic eczema

  it is a condition that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin. its common in young children but can occur at any age. atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare sometimes. it can be irritating but its not contagious. people with atopic dermatitis are at risk of developing food allergies, hay, fever and asthma.
• Atopic eczema


  People often have very dry skin because their skin is unable to retain much moisture. This dryness may make the skin more likely to react to certain triggers, causing it to become itchy and sore.
• Atopic eczema

  • You may be born with increased likelihood of developing it because of the genes you inherit from your parents
  • Children who have 1 or both parents with atopic eczema, or who have siblings with eczema, are more likely to develop it themselves
  • It is not infectious, so it cannot be passed on through close contact
  • In some people, it is caused by too much of the bacteria staphylococcus aureus on the skin
• Atopic eczema is not infectious, so it cannot be passed on through close contact
• common triggers

  .irritants – such as soaps and detergents, including shampoo, washing-up liquid and bubble bath.

  .environmental factors or allergens – such as cold and dry weather, dampness, and more specific things such as house dust mites, animals, pollen and molds

  .food allergies – such as allergies to cows’ milk, eggs, peanuts, soya or wheat certain materials worn next to the skin – such as wool and synthetic fabrics

  .hormonal changes – women may find their symptoms get worse in the days before their period or during pregnancy

  .skin infections
• itchy skin 


  this is mainly due to the fact the skin cannot hold onto moisture which means the skin becomes irritated and will become itchy
• red rash

  environmental allergens (irritants from the person surrounds) can also enter the skin and activate the immune system, producing inflammation that makes the skin red and itchy.
• small rough lumps

  this is mainly due to the excess skin not being able to shed properly meaning there is a build up of dead skin cells causing the skin to feel more rough.
• skin feels warm and maybe swollen

  when a rash is hot to tough it is usually due to increased blood flow to the skin. the extra blood flow can be several reasons. when a person has an allergic reaction, for example, inflammatory compounds called histamines will cause blood vessels to get bigger.
• raw skin from scratching

  the persistent itching often itching often encourages scratching, causing the skin to become raw or leathery.
• a dermatologist carefully examine your skin during a physical exam. the pattern, location and the appearance of a rash provide our doctors with with important information about its causes. doctors may also ask about the personal hygiene products used in your household. many cosmetics, moisturizers and soaps contain irritating ingredients that may cause eczema and dermatitis.
• •visibly irritated red skin in the creases of your skin, such as the insides of your elbows or behind your knees (or on the cheeks, outsides of elbows, or fronts of the knees in children aged 18 months or under) at the time of examination by a health professional

  •a history of skin irritation occurring in the same areas mentioned above

  •a history of asthma or hay-fever– children under 4 must have an immediate relative, such as a parent, brother or sister, who has one of these conditions

  •the condition started before the age of 2 (this does not apply to children under the age of 4)
• Typically, to be diagnosed with atopic eczema you should have had an itchy skin condition in the last 12 months
• Your doctor may recommend patch testing on your skin. In this test, small amounts of different substances are applied to your skin and then covered. During visits over the next few days, the doctor looks at your skin for signs of a reaction. Patch testing can help diagnose specific types of allergies causing your dermatitis.
• Treatment of atopic dermatitis may start with regular moisturizing and other self-care habits. If these don't help, your health care provider might suggest medicated creams that control itching and help repair skin. These are sometimes combined with other treatments. 
• Creams or ointments with a calcineurin inhibitor might be a good option for those over age 2. Examples include tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). Apply it as directed, before you moisturize. Avoid strong sunlight when using these products.
• Drugs to fight infection. Your health care provider may prescribe antibiotic pills to treat an infection
• •Wet dressings. An effective, intensive treatment for severe eczema involves applying a corticosteroid ointment and sealing in the medication with a wrap of wet gauze topped with a layer of dry gauze. Sometimes this is done in a hospital for people with widespread lesions because it's labor intensive and requires nursing expertise. Or ask your health care provider about learning how to use this technique at home safely.
• •Light therapy. This treatment is used for people who either don't get better with topical treatments or rapidly flare again after treatment. The simplest form of light therapy (phototherapy) involves exposing the affected area to controlled amounts of natural sunlight. Other forms use artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) alone or with drugs.
• side effects of light therapy

  Though effective, long-term light therapy has harmful effects, including premature skin aging, changes in skin color (hyperpigmentation) and an increased risk of skin cancer. For these reasons, phototherapy is less commonly used in young children and is not given to infants.
• •Counseling. If you're embarrassed or frustrated by your skin condition, it can help to talk with a therapist or other counselor.

  •Relaxation, behavior modification and biofeedback. These approaches may help people who scratch out of habit.•