Atopic eczema/dermatitis is a chronic immune skin condition that affects about 15-20% of children and 1-2% of adults around the globe. This dermatitis looks different on the skin of different people, and often depends on the age and the ethnicity of a particular individual. However, the common pattern of this dermatitis includes the following characteristics: pinkish or red itchy patches of varying thicknesses. The rashes may be located on the following areas of the body: bending surfaces of the joints, face, eyelids, ear lobes, scalp, arms and hands, feet and legs.

Atopic eczema/dermatitis most commonly appears in early childhood. The patches are generally dry, and they may also be pinkish, inflamed, and oozy. At an early age atopic eczema often affects large diffuse body surfaces, and generally spares the areas which retain moisture, such as deep skin folds and the diaper area. With age dermatitis becomes more and more localized, and generally covers the inside of the bending surfaces of the joints.

This dermatitis is very often associated with various allergies, the most common of which are hey fever and asthma. In many cases, this dermatitis runs in close relatives.

People with eczema are genetically predisposed to have impaired barrier function of the skin, as well as hyperactive T cells of the immune system. Thus, people with this dermatitis may become very susceptible in developing various allergies, which may be triggered by water, detergents, certain foods, and more. For instance, atopic eczema gets easily aggravated by soaps, and weather extremes (too cold, too hot, too dry, too humid, etc.). Since the barrier properties of the skin are impaired, the skin is prone to letting various bacteria in. Another frequent trigger of this dermatitis is emotional stress.

Atopic eczema often contributes to the development of contact dermatitis, especially if your lifestyle (domestic duties) and/or occupation (e.g., hairdressing, cleaning, farming, etc.) have to do with being exposed to various detergents, solvents, or merely water. If you know or suspect what could be the trigger of your atopic eczema/dermatitis, you should do your best to avoid those irritants.

Atopic dermatitis treatments generally aim at suppressing itch and inflammation. For instance, regular application of moisturizers is the best way to soothe the itch and alleviate inflammation. Another common treatment for this condition are topical corticosteroids, such as: Hydrocortisone (weak), Betnovate (potent), and Dermovate (super potent). Protopic and Elidel are another good treatment option, and it’s especially important that these creams are non-steroidal creams, and they do not have the side effects of the topical steroids (permanent stretch marks, skin thinning, etc). If there is any concurring infection in the affected areas, it requires treatment with antibiotics.

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