Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease that appears from an early age. Apart from periods of calm, baby's skin shows patches of itchy eczema. Skin hydration and hygiene measures help prevent flare-ups of atopic eczema.
atopic dermatitis is the most common skin disease (or dermatosis) in children in France. It needs to be diagnosed by a doctor.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease that combines periods of outbreaks and periods of calm. It is also called atopic eczema . Most often, it occurs in children from the first trimester of life. Affected individuals have an atopic terrain , that is, they are prone to allergies. For more information, you can read Understanding Allergies.
Most often, this atopic eczema disappears in adolescence but it can sometimes persist in adulthood.
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis causes:
Localization of lesions
The localization of the lesions evolves according to the age of the individual:
These are genetic and hereditary factors that predispose to atopic dermatitis. In affected individuals, the hydrolipidic film of the skin is altered. It is a protective film that lines the epidermis and is made up of fatty substances and water. In addition, the intercorneocyte cement is also degraded:it normally ensures cohesion between the superficial cells of the skin.
As the skin's protective mechanisms are altered, the result is:
Excess hygiene can further alter the skin barrier, it is also very important to choose your hygiene products carefully. This is also the case for excessively hot and prolonged showers and baths.
As a general rule and unless medical advice to the contrary, it is considered that diet is not an aggravating factor in atopic dermatitis. However, according to several studies, certain strains of probiotics absorbed orally could prevent the onset of atopic dermatitis in infants. These are good bacteria that make up the microbial flora of the digestive tract, the genitals, but also of the skin. Some emollient balms or creams, to be applied to the skin, are also formulated to strengthen the skin's microbial balance!
Fighting against atopic dermatitis is first of all preventing inflammatory flare-ups from occurring.
To space out the inflammatory outbreaks of atopic dermatitis as much as possible, changing your hygiene habits is an essential prerequisite:
Other habit changes can improve symptoms and prevent flare-ups:
Properly moisturizing your skin restores its protective hydrolipidic film. Adapted products are available in pharmacies and help fight against flare-ups of atopic dermatitis and the associated itching. They also prevent outbreaks from resurfacing during periods of calm.
To be applied daily on the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, emollient treatments in the form of milks, creams, balms or cerats restore the skin barrier. They allow:
Applied after showering on slightly damp skin, emollient treatments are all the more effective.
On medical prescription only, creams containing a cortisone derivative help fight against the inflammation of eczema plaques during flare-ups of atopic dermatitis. One of the main obstacles to the correct management of this disease is also called “corticophobia”. This is the fear associated with the use of these corticosteroids. It is felt by many people, especially parents of children with atopic dermatitis.
To reduce itching, symptomatic treatments (such as antihistamines) can be implemented in addition to emollient care.
Oral treatments exist for the most severe forms of atopic dermatitis. To learn more about drug treatments for atopic dermatitis, read consultation and treatment for atopic eczema.
