Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash.

Atopic Dermatitis (also known as Eczema) usually first presents in infancy and can affect 1 in 5 children. Any age can be affected however, with an estimated 1 in 10 adults having Atopic Dermatitis. It is non- contagious skin disease and can present as acute or chronic.

Causes

The exact cause is unknown, but it’s thought to be linked to an overactive response by the body’s immune system to an irritant. Common causes include:

    • Family history
    • Immune system dysfunction
    • Skin infection
    • Dry skin
    • Exposure to food, airborne, or contact allergens
    • Stress

Types of Dermatitis:

Symptoms:

Symptoms will vary from mild to severe and are individual to each patient. They may also come and go depending on different factors. Common symptoms include:

    • Rashes
    • blisters
    • dry, cracked skin
    • itchy skin
    • painful skin, with stinging or burning
    • redness
    • swelling

Treatment and prevention:

The treatment for Atopic Dermatitis varies depending on the cause, and can include the following:

  • Moisturisers
  • Topical treatments such as corticosteroid creams, anti-inflammatory creams, gels or ointments
  • Barrier creams
  • Anti-fungal medications
  • Avoiding triggers

Atopic dermatitis is a long-term condition that will continually flare up and then subside, over the course of a patient`s life. The key to managing the symptoms is to use the right emollient and treatment on a consistent basis to help protect the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.