What is atopic dermatitis and how does it manifest itself?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a marked hereditary component. It occurs in outbreaks and manifests itself in the form of eczema that can be located in various areas of the skin, mainly the flexures of the arms and legs, hands, feet and neck.
These eczemas cause intense itching that forces the patient to try to relieve it by scratching, a gesture that often leads to wounds, fissures, cracks, infections and scars. Itching can be triggered by simple stimuli such as heat, perspiration, rubbing against certain tissues, contact with fragrances or cleaning products, cosmetics, etc.
Generally, these symptoms appear during the child´s first year of life, progress in the form of outbreaks throughout childhood and gradually subside in adulthood, although it is estimated that around 10% of atopic children remain atopic when they grow up.
Atopic dermatitis is closely related to asthma and allergies, as well as other metabolic and immunological pathologies. In addition, it can significantly interfere with the patient´s quality of life, hindering everyday tasks such as getting dressed. The itching and discomfort caused by eczema impairs patients' rest and sleep and negatively affects the school performance of paediatric patients.
How is atopic dermatitis treated?
Currently, there is no cure for atopic dermatitis and therapies are aimed at relieving symptoms, controlling flare-ups, improving patients quality of life and avoiding complications such as antihistamines, topical corticosteroids, immunomodulators, phototherapy or biologic medication in severe cases.
