Atopic Dermatitis: How to Manage One of the Most Common Skin Conditions?

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and, at the same time, is the most exposed to environmental factors. For this reason, it is vulnerable and predisposed to many conditions, some simpler, others more complex. One of the most common is atopic dermatitis.
What does atopic dermatitis mean and why is it so frequently encountered? Also called eczema, this is an inflammatory skin condition, whose main symptom is itching. Most often, its appearance doesn’t consider age and is based on quite diverse causes. Among the things known about atopic dermatitis is that it is a chronic condition. In the following article, we will see what its causes are, how it is diagnosed, and how we keep it under control.

What is atopic dermatitis – definition and symptoms

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease. It has a chronic and recurrent character, which can help us differentiate it from other disorders. Also known as eczema, it is one of the most frequent skin conditions worldwide.

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis

The first sign of atopic dermatitis is itching or pruritus at the skin level, associated with its redness. Also, dryness or cutaneous xerosis is another main symptom. Eczema is also characterized by:

• appearance of small bumps in affected areas, often filled with fluid;
• cracked or thickened skin that flakes;
• inflammation and increased sensitivity at the skin level;
• skin redness at joints, on arms, legs, chest, face and even on scalp.

All these symptoms can manifest moderately or intensely, which can significantly alter our quality of life.

Atopic dermatitis – causes of eczema and supplements that can contribute to its amelioration

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One of the most common questions we have is what causes or what makes atopic dermatitis appear. From a medical point of view, it is a quite complex condition. It is based on several causes, including:

• disorders appearing at the skin level that disrupt and weaken the cutaneous barrier;
• genetic predisposition, many people having family members who have or have had eczema;
• neuroendocrine disorders;
• immune system disorders;
• certain sensitivities, such as allergies.

All these causes can be triggered by various factors, many of them external.

Triggering factors of eczema

Not infrequently, atopic dermatitis is triggered by external causes. Among these, the most widespread are:

• food allergies to products such as cow’s milk, nuts and peanuts, soy, fish and seafood, eggs, gluten;
• allergies caused by agents found in nature, such as mites, dust, certain plants, including ragweed;
• skin infections, such as those with Staphylococcus aureus;
• cleaning products, such as detergents and soaps, but also perfumes;
• clothes made from synthetic materials or that cause itching, such as wool;
• excessive heat.

Another triggering factor of atopic dermatitis is stress, especially in adults. However, the condition is much more frequently encountered in babies and children.
Can atopic dermatitis be prevented? The answer is yes, but it depends largely on the age category the patient belongs to. Thus, in the case of babies and children, using gentle skin and clothing cleaning products is helpful. In adults, proper nutrition and stress avoidance can be added to the first measure.
Since eczema can be favored by inflammation in the organism, certain dietary supplements can also be used in its amelioration. Those based on aloe vera, which we know has a calming effect, are among the most recommended. An adjuvant product can also be Premium Aronia Collagen, a unique mix of aronia, aloe vera and other plants rich in antioxidants. Also, it contains hydrolyzed collagen type I and III, biotin and hyaluronic acid, with multiple benefits for skin.
Collagen is the protein our skin naturally secretes and which, with advancing age, decreases. Therefore, such a supplement can be beneficial for maintaining skin health. Available in liquid form, it can be consumed easily. Administer 25 ml every day and enjoy a formula full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants!
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Atopic dermatitis by age categories

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most frequent skin conditions, but it appears most frequently in babies and children. This happens because the protective function against irritants, bacteria and other agents is affected. Eczema can manifest in several ways, although the main symptoms are itching and skin redness. These signs should send us to the dermatologist, especially in the case of babies, whose skin is much more sensitive than adults’.
Atopic dermatitis has 3 phases, these manifesting according to the age of the affected person. In children, there is infantile atopic dermatitis, which appears between the age of 2 months and 2 years and childhood dermatitis, which appears in the 4-10 year period. Also, there is adolescent and adult dermatitis, which appears after age 10. These phases help the specialist doctor correctly identify the condition through specific manifestations.

Atopic dermatitis in babies

What is atopic dermatitis in babies, why does it appear and how does it manifest? According to several studies, it appears in the first year of life. Its causes can be genetic in nature, but also depend on external factors, which can contribute to its installation. More important are the manifestations, and from this point of view we must know that:

• lesions in this phase appear as papules and vesicles filled with fluid;
• these bumps appear mostly at the scalp level, cheeks, neck, trunk and extremities;
• eczema has an acute character.

Often, in small children, atopic dermatitis appears on the head, neck and face. Therefore, if we notice the appearance of bumps in these areas, it is indicated to present with babies to the doctor.
How long does atopic dermatitis last in babies? It can gradually fade, so it can disappear after age 5. However, there are also cases where eczema can persist throughout life.

Atopic dermatitis in children

The second phase of atopic dermatitis is in children over 2 years old. The causes of its appearance remain the same, but the manifestations are slightly different. At this stage, lesions or bumps no longer contain so much fluid. They can appear as excoriations, erythema and edema around the eyes.
What does atopic dermatitis look like in children up to 10 years old? It can appear as irritations in areas such as neck folds, elbow, knee and wrist.

Atopic dermatitis in adolescents and adults

Atopic dermatitis in adolescents and adults will have similar manifestations. The bumps that appear in this case are, most often, dry and hyperpigmented or reddish. Eczema in this age category appears on hands, eyelids and scalp, especially behind the ears.
Dermatitis in adolescents and adults has residual character. This means it persists from childhood and can manifest frequently, with periods when it worsens. Such a case is that of pregnant women.
In adults, atopic dermatitis in pregnancy is one of the most frequently encountered conditions. Pregnant women can develop it during this period, but it can worsen in those who already suffer from eczema. However, there are also situations where it heals during pregnancy.
What we must remember is that dermatitis must be diagnosed to avoid the complications it can manifest. Among the most frequent are:

• appearance of asthma or hay fever, atopic dermatitis being a triggering factor especially in children;
• neurodermatitis, which is chronic itching and which over time leads to hyperpigmentation and skin thickening in the affected area;
• skin infections with increased frequency;
• development of contact dermatitis and hands that will remain irritated.

Besides these, quality of life can be quite seriously affected. Therefore we should not delay presenting to the doctor for a correct diagnosis. Moreover, there are currently new, non-invasive techniques with which we can receive a quick result. Following this, various treatments can begin.

Atopic dermatitis – natural treatment methods and dietary regimen

Because it can have a recurrent character, we often wonder if atopic dermatitis heals. The answer is that, following a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment, it can be kept under control and heal in certain situations. Treating it, however, involves more of a correct conduct on our part, as patients, which can have several components. Let’s first see how the condition is diagnosed.

Diagnosing atopic dermatitis

What does atopic dermatitis look like and what are the signs that should send us to a doctor? Skin redness and persistent itching should send us to a dermatologist. In children, the appearance of bumps filled with fluid can be a sign of eczema.
The diagnosis is made starting from skin examination and is also based on medical history, but various allergological tests can also be performed. The latter have the role of finalizing the diagnosis. Once found, the doctor will offer the necessary treatment, an important part of which is the dietary regimen itself.

Remedies for atopic dermatitis

Treating atopic dermatitis is based on adopting protective measures, both for babies, children and adults. The doctor may recommend the following treatment methods:

• use of antihistamine products or those based on corticosteroids;
• in severe cases, medications that suppress the immune system may be prescribed.

Besides these, the following behaviors are encouraged and taking measures such as:

• hydration;
• warm, not hot showers and baths;
• use of skin-gentle cleaning products;
• use of moisturizing creams;
• avoiding products with perfume, essential oils, alcohol and other irritating substances;
• avoiding perfumed detergents and replacing them with gentle ones;
• maintaining a constant temperature in the home;
• controlling humidity in rooms.

Since dermatitis can appear on scalp, face and hands, products specially created for these areas are indicated. Besides these, equally important is nutrition or, rather, a dietary regimen from which we exclude products with allergenic potential.

Dietary regimen in atopic dermatitis

If in babies nutrition is already selective, the same cannot be said about other categories of people. In older children, adolescents and adults, a more restrictive regimen may be necessary. This involves consuming foods such as:

• certain types of fish (mackerel, tuna, sardines, herring), which represent natural sources of Omega 3, known for its anti-inflammatory properties;
• fruits and vegetables, which are rich in flavonoids;
• foods rich in probiotics, such as kefir, yogurt and even pickles.

What foods to avoid in atopic dermatitis

Since atopic dermatitis, in many people, is recurrent, we can avoid or delay its episodes by giving up consumption of:

• citrus fruits;
• unprocessed dairy;
• eggs;
• gluten,
• spices;
• certain types of nuts.

In conclusion, atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin disorders that largely affects babies. Because it persists, it can also appear in older children and even adults. Therefore, in medicine it is considered to have three phases, grouped by age. The causes of eczema are both internal, such as genetic transmission, and external – nutrition and exposure to extreme temperatures. Diagnosis is made by the dermatologist, and its treatment is based more on topical products, such as creams and ointments. Also, dietary regimen and use of certain supplements can help keep it under control.
References:

1. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/atopic-dermatitis
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20353273
3. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1049085-overview?form=fpf
4. https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/atopic-dermatitis/