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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:23 Causes of Atopic Dermatitis
1:59 Self-care tips for ADs are
3:29 Precautions
Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a long-term type of inflammation of the skin (dermatitis).[2] It results in itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin.[2] Clear fluid may come from the affected areas, which often thickens over time.[2] While the condition may occur at any age, it typically starts in childhood, with changing severity over the years.[2][3] In children under one year of age, much of the body may be affected.[3] As children get older, the areas on the insides of the knees and elbows are most commonly affected.[3] In adults, the hands and feet are most commonly affected.[3] Scratching the affected areas worsens the symptoms, and those affected have an increased risk of skin infections.[2] Many people with atopic dermatitis develop hay fever or asthma.[2]
The cause is unknown but believed to involve genetics, immune system dysfunction, environmental exposures, and difficulties with the permeability of the skin.[2][3] If one identical twin is affected, the other has an 85% chance of having the condition.[5] Those who live in cities and dry climates are more commonly affected.[2] Exposure to certain chemicals or frequent hand washing makes symptoms worse.[2] While emotional stress may make the symptoms worse, it is not a cause.[2] The disorder is not contagious.[2] A diagnosis is typically based on the signs and symptoms.[3] Other diseases that must be excluded before making a diagnosis include contact dermatitis, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.[3]
Treatment involves avoiding things that make the condition worse, daily bathing with application of a moisturising cream afterwards, applying steroid creams when flares occur, and medications to help with itchiness.[3] Things that commonly make it worse include wool clothing, soaps, perfumes, chlorine, dust, and cigarette smoke.[2] Phototherapy may be useful in some people.[2] Steroid pills or creams based on calcineurin inhibitors may occasionally be used if other measures are not effective.[2][6] Antibiotics (either by mouth or topically) may be needed if a bacterial infection develops.[3] Dietary changes are only needed if food allergies are suspected.[2]
Atopic dermatitis affects about 20% of people at some point in their lives.[2][4] It is more common in younger children.[3] Males and females are equally affected.[2] Many people outgrow the condition.[3] Atopic dermatitis is sometimes called eczema, a term that also refers to a larger group of skin conditions.[2] Other names include "infantile eczema", "flexural eczema", "prurigo Besnier", "allergic eczema", and "neurodermatitis".[1]