Question

1. What is atopic dermatitis?

2. What is the common name associated with atopic dermatitis?

3. List 3 causes of atopic dermatitis and possible treamengs.

Answer 1

1. What is atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy. It's common in children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically. It may be accompanied by asthma or hay fever. No cure has been found for atopic dermatitis.

In adults Atopic dermatitis is an itchy, inflammatory skin condition with a predilection for the skin flexures. It is characterized by poorly defined erythema with edema, vesicles, and weeping in the acute stage and skin thickening (lichenification) in the chronic stage.

2. What is the common name associated with atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is commonly called eczema

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that makes ther skin red and itchy.

3. List 3 causes of atopic dermatitis and possible treamengs.

1. Irritants: Irritants such as chemicals, soaps, detergents, fragrances, certain fabrics, and smoke can further irritate the skin in patients with eczema.

The following are steps to perform to reduce irritant exposures:
•   Wear comfortable clothing.
•   Wash all new clothes prior to wearing them.
•   Keep fingernails short and smooth to help prevent additional skin damage from scratching.
•   Use broad-spectrum ultraviolet (UV) protective sunscreen (UV-A and UV-B with an SPF of 15 or higher).
•   Bath immediately after swimming to reduce and remove exposure to various chemicals found in swimming pools and beaches.

2. Inhaled Allergens: House dust mites are small, microscopic (you cannot see them with the naked eye) organisms. They are typically found indoors (mattresses, pillows, carpet), typically in areas of high humidity. These have been associated with eczema.

3. Foods: Common allergic foods have been associated with eczema in very young children, but this association is rare in adults.

If you consistently notice worsening of your rash after ingesting certain foods, notify your allergist / immunologist for further evaluation. Of particular note, eliminating a variety of foods from the diet that you are not allergic to is rarely helpful in patients with eczema