Atopic dermatitis
- Article
- 2021-01-29
Atopic dermatitis, often referred to as eczema, is a chronic (long-term) disease that causes inflammation, redness and irritation of the skin. It is a very common condition that usually starts in childhood; however, anyone can get the disease. Atopic dermatitis is not contagious, so it cannot be spread from person to person.
Atopic dermatitis makes the skin extremely itchy. Scratching leads to further redness, swelling, cracking, "weeping" clear liquid, crusting and flaking. In most cases, there are periods when the disease is worse called flares, followed by periods when the skin improves or disappears altogether, called remissions.
Researchers don't know what causes atopic dermatitis, but they do know that genes, the immune system, and the environment play a role in the disease. Depending on the severity and location of the symptoms, living with atopic dermatitis can be difficult. Treatment can help manage symptoms. For many people, atopic dermatitis improves in adulthood, but for some it can be a lifelong illness.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of Atopic Dermatitis is itching, which can be severe. Other common symptoms are:
- Red, dry patches on the skin.
- Rash that may ooze, weeping clear liquid, or bleeding when scratched.
- Thickening and hardening of the skin.
The symptoms can flare up in multiple parts of the body at the same time and can appear in the same locations and in new locations. The appearance and location of the rash will vary with age; however, the rash can appear anywhere on the body.
Infants
During childhood and up to the age of 2 years, a red rash, which can ooze when scratched, is most common on the:
- Face.
- Scalp.
- Area of skin around joints that touches when the joint bends.
Some parents are concerned that the child has atopic dermatitis in the diaper area; however, the condition is rare in this area.
Youth
During childhood, usually from 2 years of age to puberty, a red, thickened rash, which can ooze or bleed when scratched, is most common on the:
- Elbows and knees, usually in the bend.
- Neck.
- Ankles.
Teenagers and adults
During the teens and adult years, it is most common for a red to dark brown scaly rash, which can bleed and crust when scratched, to appear on the:
- Hands.
- Neck.
- Elbows and knees, usually in the bend.
- Skin around the eyes.
- Ankles and feet.
Other common skin features of atopic dermatitis are:
- An extra fold of skin under the eye known as a Dennie-Morgan fold.
- Darkening of the skin under the eyes.
- Extra skin folds on the palms and soles of the feet.
In addition, people with atopic dermatitis often have other conditions, such as:
- Asthma and allergies, including food allergies.
- Other skin diseases, such as ichthyosis, which cause dry, thickened skin.
- Depression or anxiety.
- Loss of sleep.
Researchers continue to investigate why atopic dermatitis as a child can lead to the development of asthma and hay fever later in life.
Complications from atopic dermatitis can arise. They contain:
- Bacterial skin infections that can be aggravated by scratching. These are common and can make the disease more difficult to control.
- Viral skin infections.
- Sleep loss that can lead to behavioral problems in children.
- Hand eczema (hand dermatitis).
- Eye problems such as:
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye), which causes swelling and redness on the inside of your eyelid and the white part of your eye.
- Blepharitis, which causes general inflammation and redness of your eyelid.
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