It has been found that atopic dermatitis has both genetic and external environmental causes that lead to out brakes and determine their severity. There are currently three major theories on the specific genetic causes of atopic dermatitis.  First there is the theory that a genetic defect causes the immune system to weaken and affects its ability to handle environmental factors.  Second, is that a genetic issue causes sufferers outer layer of skin to develop improperly. Third, atopic dermatitis is an allergy just like hay fever or asthma. It could also be a combination of these factors. What ever the cause may be the evidence always points to an extremely strong genetic factor. While there is an increasing amount of evidence to support the theory that atopic dermatitis is genetic, all facts of the disease have not been fully understood yet.

A person’s immune system develops with in the first six month of life. It is believed that through a genetic defect the immune system of suffers of atopic dermatitis are weaker than those with out the disease. People with the disease have been found to have an extra amount of immunoflobulin E (IgE), an antibody (special protein) that manages the allergic reaction of the immune system. When a person has an increased level of IgE their immune system over reacts to soaps, clothing and other environmental factors that affect the skin. With only 80-90 percent of atopic dermatitis sufferers having these increase levels it can not account for all cases.

Evidence is emerging that atopic dermatitis is the result of a genetic skin deficiency or barrier defect in the outer layer of skin. Failures in this barrier cause the skin to be more permeable so it absorbs more irritants and allergens than normal skin. This defect also causes the skin to have a reduced amount of natural moisturizers and unbalanced pH levels resulting in dry skin that can be increased by environmental factors.

Atopic dermatitis is strongly linked to other allergies. Almost all sufferers also experience other atopic disorders such as hay fever, seasonal allergies and asthma. It is believed that people who have these disorders have what some researchers call the allergy gene. Anyone with this gene most likely has one of the following: atopic dermatitis, hay fever, seasonal allergies, asthma or any combination.

While all causes of atopic dermatitis proposed to date include strong genetic links, external forces are just as much of a contributing factor, especially in the severity of flare ups. There are many factors that suffers can be exposed to that will increase flare ups and their severity. Bathing too often, especially in hot water, and swimming chlorinated pools dries skin out. Winter weather and low humidity levels exasperates already dry skin Using soaps and detergents or wearing materials not specified for sensitive skin can irritate it.

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Related posts:

1. What is Atopic Dermatitis?
2. Managing Atopic Dermatitis

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