Do not forget that even though atopic dermatitis is a challenging disease, it is completely manageable. Through proper care and management sufferers can still maintain normal lives and not let atopic dermatitis interfere in their activities. To manage this disease a plan of action needs to be in place. There are many factors they need to be considered in this plan.

Getting control over your itching, a natural part of the disease that leads to sever scratching, is the first step. The scratching breaks the skins surface. These breaks in the skin allow in irritants and infections that cause inflammation. To control scratching it is best to wear light cotton clothing and avoid scratchy material such as wool. You should also apply moisturizing cream several times a day and keep you hands busy to avoid scratching.

When washing clothes and bedding be careful what you wash them in the proper soap. Taking care of what soaps you use can help you avoid irritants that cause outbreaks. Only hypoallergenic soaps free of dyes, perfumes and preservative should be used. It is also important to wash all new clothing before wearing them to rid them of irritating chemicals often  found in new clothing.

Atopic dermatitis sufferers should avoid extreme temperatures.  If it is too hot there will be excessive sweaty that can irritate the skin. Cold weather can dry skin out by itself then there is the added dryness of constantly running your furnace. It is best to keep you environment at a comfortable temperature and level of humidity. If you swim be sure to shower off all chlorine when done and apply moisturizer promptly.

It is vital that you keep an eye out for skin infections. They are a dangerous problem of atopic dermatitis. They can become very serious if not treated quickly and can cause permanent damage. When watching for infections look out for skin that is overly reddened, puss filled bumps, ooze and honey colored blisters or scabs. If you suffer from any of these signs it is important to get to a physician or dermatologist as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.

There are three levels of atopic dermatitis, mild, moderate and severe. Sufferers can usually tell which level they are  at by the severity of the rash and how much of their body if affected. Through out the course of the disease sufferers may fluctuate between levels. Mild cases may be able to be managed with out the intervention of a healthcare professional. When the atopic dermatitis becomes moderate and most certainly when it becomes severe, it is time to get professional help in managing the disease.

© 2009, Atopic dermatitis. All rights reserved.

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1. Causes of Atopic Dermatitis

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