Arm atopic dermatitis is one of the most common sights of this disorder. The skin of the arms may be very red, thick and dry, and in some cases it may also have blisters on it. The affected areas generally are the inner side of the elbows and the wrists. The hands may also be involved in this process, such as the top hand surfaces.

According to one recent study, hand atopic dermatitis is encountered in around 60% of the patients. 16% of the patients also have nail dystrophy, or other nail alterations. The study revealed that the hands of the sufferers get involved more often as the age of the sufferer increases.

Why do the arms get affected so often? Arms are often exposed to various irritants and water, in both – adults and children. These irritants and plain water makes the skin of the arms very prone to developing such rashes after the contact with any irritant.

In adults, atopic dermatitis is one of the main contributing factors to work-related contact dermatitis. Most commonly affected areas are hands, since they are repeatedly exposed to various detergents, solvents, and water. Adults, who are commonly exposed to domestic or work-related irritants, often have localized atopic dermatitis, which is confined particularly to their hands. Various occupations are known to aggravate the course of the disease in the people with arm atopic dermatitis, including: hairdressing, farming, and cleaning.

Further, atopic dermatitis makes atopic dermatitis sufferers more prone to developing hand eczema. There are cases when the people whose atopic dermatitis may completely clear up during their adult years, and who may then develop hand eczema. In fact, about 50% of the people with atopic dermatitis experience skin inflammation, such as hand eczema.

What can be done to improve the condition of arm atopic dermatitis? Studies show that people with atopic dermatitis have an increased trans-epidermal water loss in their arms, in comparison to people with normal and even dry skin. In this case, moisturizing the arms and the hands is very important in order to replenish the water loss in the skin.

Other common treatments include: more potent topical steroid hormones, Protopic (Tacrolimus), and Elidel (Pimecrolimus). If the flare up is very bad, you may be prescribed a short but very effective course of oral steroids (Prednisone), which helps most people to start feeling better very fast.

And what’s even more important – try to avoid skin irritants, whenever you can.

© 2009, Atopic dermatitis. All rights reserved.

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