Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a disease that mainly affects the skin of children, but can also occur in adults. Let’s see together what it is.

Eczema is an ever more widespread and increasing skin disease especially in the most advanced and industrialized countries. The causes of this disease, in fact, although not yet clear, seem to be due not only to a combination of genetic factors but also to environmental factors that affect skin health .

Diagnosis is difficult as each patient exhibits a unique combination of disorders that can also vary over time. The similarity to other similarly manifesting skin diseases and problems, such as seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis or psoriasis, can also be misleading.

The pathology usually manifests itself from the first years of life, it can sometimes disappear in adolescence and reappear, then, in adulthood: eczema is chronic, therefore it is not possible to recover completely but it is possible to keep the situation under control and reduce the symptoms which may consequently not occur even for months or years.

 

Eczema

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin in which the epidermis is excessively sensitive to  allergens  and external agents.

It is the result of a complex interaction between the dysfunction of the skin barrier, the alterations of the immune system and the interaction between the skin and environmental factors. Allergic disorders such as asthma or hay fever have a negative impact and children are more at risk because, to the genetic and environmental causes, we must add the fact that their immune system is not yet fully mature and the skin much more delicate than that of an adult.

In children, the pathology is characterized by edema, vesicles (bubbles) and crusts especially on the face and limbs; in adults, however, it presents with red, cracked and dry skin, almost always associated with pain and intense itching in the folds of the skin, in the upper part of the back, in the limbs and in the hands.

The symptoms are not persistent but have a fluctuating trend, alternating periods of quiet with periods in which they are significantly accentuated. Furthermore, not all subjects with atopic dermatitis report symptoms of the same intensity: some may have only small areas of dry skin when others may suffer from widespread redness and constant itching.

The itching, if indulged, can cause bleeding and secondary infections thus worsening the skin manifestation and triggering vicious circles.

With eczema being chronic, it is vital to understand how to care for your skin and what treatment to use to reduce symptoms.

Red skin

Red skin is a very common symptom that can be caused by several factors and associated with various skin irritations.

In fact, the skin can become red due to the cold, excessive exposure to the sun, psoriasis or exanthematous diseases; redness can occur only on the surface or even subcutaneously, in a specific part of the body or be widespread. For these reasons, it is of fundamental importance to consult your doctor in order to obtain a certain diagnosis.

Even in the case of atopic dermatitis, one of the first skin manifestations of the disease is precisely the reddened skin which is then followed by dryness and itching.

These are real, clearly visible and itchy red patches that can occur on the hands and feet, on the chest, face, limbs and skin folds.

Red blisters on the skin

Often, redness, dryness and itching are accompanied by the appearance of vesicles: small, roundish red blisters, densely clustered and containing serous and clear fluid.

They develop under the outermost layer of the epidermis in large areas of the body and, due to their rubbing, they tend to break and form small crusts.

Like skin redness, these blisters can also develop due to various factors and be a symptom of various diseases such as chicken pox, herpes, sunburn, allergies or eczema. The itching generated by them can be kept under control by avoiding rubbing and the consequent breakage and skin lesion.

A doctor should be called immediately if an infection is suspected. The first alarm bells can be a very high fever and a change in the skin manifestation in which heat is noted around the areas affected by eczema and the presence of purulent bubbles; in this case the liquid contained inside the bubble, no longer transparent but cloudy and yellowish, is pus.

Even in the case of sudden worsening of the disease or a late response to prescribed treatments, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

by Abdullah Sam
I’m a teacher, researcher and writer. I write about study subjects to improve the learning of college and university students. I write top Quality study notes Mostly, Tech, Games, Education, And Solutions/Tips and Tricks. I am a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.

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