Eczema (atopic dermatitis): symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is atopic dermatitis (eczema)?

Eczema is a chronic (chronic) skin disease that causes red skin to become inflamed, swollen, itchy, and cracked. Eczema is commonly known as atopic dermatitis skin disease.

This skin disease is characterized by itching so severe that it interferes with sleep and daily activities. If scratched, the area of ​​the skin that feels itchy will become dry and even peel off.

Atopic dermatitis usually appears first in babies under one year of age. This disease, also known as dry eczema, can continue to recur into adulthood, although for some children the symptoms can improve or even disappear.

Eczema is more common in people who have a family history of eczema, allergies, or asthma. This disease cannot be cured, but proper treatment can help control and relieve the symptoms.

Signs & symptoms

What are the features and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema)?

Inflammation of the skin due to atopic dermatitis usually appears on folds of the body, such as the inner elbows, the back of the knees, and the front of the neck.

However, the American Academy of Dermatology says eczema symptoms in infants, children, and older people may be different.

The following are various symptoms according to age groups.

1. Atopic dermatitis in infants

Symptoms of eczema in infants generally appear at the age of 2 to 3 months in the following forms.

• A reddish rash that appears suddenly on the scalp and face, especially on the cheeks (it can appear in other areas).
• Dry, scaly, itchy skin; scales can crack and ooze.
• Difficulty sleeping because the skin feels very itchy.
• The emergence of infection due to scratching the skin until it is injured.

2. Atopic dermatitis in children

Symptoms of eczema in young children usually appear at the age of 2 years until puberty. The various symptoms of atopic dermatitis that usually appear in children are as follows.

• Rash especially in the crease of the elbow or knee. Sometimes, eczema symptoms appear on the feet, hands, or the creases of the buttocks.
• Unbearable itching in the inflamed area of ​​the skin.
• The surface of the skin is bumpy because there is a bump or thickening of the skin that is sometimes permanent.
• The skin in the affected area appears lighter or darker.

3. Atopic dermatitis in adults

Atopic dermatitis rarely appears for the first time in adulthood. Most adults with eczema usually have had it in childhood.

The following are the symptoms of eczema in adults that often appear.

• The rash covers a large area of ​​the body.
• Severe and unbearable itching, especially in bended skin such as the deep elbows, nape of the neck, front of the neck, and back of the knees.
• Rash that is crusted and may burst with water if scratched.
• Skin is rough, scaly, and becomes very dry.
• Experiencing signs of skin infection in the affected area.

Eczema, which has become a chronic disease, can make the skin appear thicker and darker than other parts of the skin. The thickened skin can also feel itchy at any time.

There may be eczema signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should see a doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms.

• Difficulty sleeping because the itching gets worse at night.
• Daily activities become disrupted.
• Skin feels sore.
• The skin looks infected, for example, with red streaks, pus, scabs appearing.
• Home remedies that have been taken do not help relieve symptoms.
• Disturbed eyes or vision.

If you or your baby experience these symptoms, you should not delay to see a doctor.

Cause

What causes atopic dermatitis (eczema)?

Researchers don't know exactly what causes atopic dermatitis. However, they believe that the onset and recurrence of eczema can be triggered by genetic factors and many other external factors.

Dry eczema can appear at any time, especially when you are near the trigger. The main triggers for eczema are:

• dry skin,
• metal in jewelry or clothing accessories,
• perfumes and fragranced products,
• soap, shampoo and similar cleaning products,
• antibacterial ointments such as neomycin and bacitracin,
• lotions and skin care products,
• paraphenylenediamine found in clothing dyes, temporary tattoos, and so on.

Risk factors

What puts me at risk for atopic dermatitis?

There are many factors that increase your risk of developing atopic dermatitis, namely:

• the presence of family members who have eczema, allergies, or asthma,
• have allergies or asthma,
• female,
• have dry skin,
• have an error in the immune system,
• exposed to bacterial infections of the skin, as well
• often exposed to allergens or environmental irritants.

Meanwhile, other factors that increase the risk of eczema in children include:

• live in the city area,
• often entrusted to child care, and
• have hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Diagnosis and treatment

How is atopic dermatitis diagnosed?

The diagnosis for atopic dermatitis is quite simple. Dermatologists generally start the diagnosis by examining the appearance of your skin.

The doctor can also check if you feel pain when the skin area is touched and perform an eye exam to see if your eye is affected.

In addition, the doctor will also ask about your family medical history to find out if anyone has eczema.

Laboratory tests are usually not needed to diagnose atopic eczema. Your doctor may be able to do tests using a skin sample to rule out other infections or allergies you have.

What are the treatment options for atopic dermatitis (eczema)?

There is no cure for eczema completely. However, there are some eczema treatment options that can relieve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

The goals of eczema treatment are as follows.

• Prevent atopic dermatitis from worsening or recurrence.
• Relieve pain and itching.
• Reduces emotional stress and other triggers.
• Prevent infection.
• Stops skin thickening.

Treatment programs can include a combination of drug therapy, skin care, and lifestyle changes. Drug therapy for atopic dermatitis usually includes ointments or ointments that can control itching, inflammation, and improve the skin.

Doctors usually don't give a lot of medicine to babies. You may be advised to frequently lubricate the baby's skin with oils, creams, or ointments. If the condition is severe enough, the doctor will prescribe a cream that is safe and does not irritate the skin.

The following are various choices of eczema drugs that doctors usually prescribe.

1. Cream to control itching

Creams for eczema are usually given so that the itching feels less. That way, the urge to scratch can be controlled.

Scratching the skin with eczema will not cure the disease, it will only make the condition worse. Apart from causing infection, this can also worsen the appearance of the skin.

Usually a corticosteroid cream or ointment will be prescribed to help relieve itching. You must apply it as directed, because overuse of this drug can cause side effects including thinning of the skin.

In addition to corticosteroids, creams containing calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus can also help control itching and inflammation. Both are able to reduce reactions in the skin by affecting the immune system.

2. Drugs to fight infection

If eczema already has an infection characterized by the appearance of open sores or festering cracks, antibiotics are one of the drugs that will be prescribed.

Usually the doctor will prescribe topical antibiotics and drink them to fight the bacteria that cause the infection so that they don't spread widely. Drinking antibiotics may be prescribed when topical medications don't work effectively.

3. Drinking medication to control inflammation

For more severe cases, the doctor will prescribe a drinking corticosteroid such as prednisone. This drug is quite effective, but unfortunately it cannot be consumed in the long term because the side effects are quite serious.

The most common side effects of prednisone are nausea, vomiting, heartburn, insomnia, loss of appetite, and acne. If these effects last for a long time or get worse, contact your doctor immediately.

4. Injection of monoclonal antibodies

Dupilumab is one of the drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States to treat severe eczema. This drug is intended for people whose disease no longer responds to other medicines.

5. Wet bandage

This treatment is done by wrapping the problematic skin area with topical corticosteroids and wet bandages. Usually this procedure is done intensively for people with severe atopic dermatitis.

At the beginning of treatment, the doctor or medical staff will help put this bandage on you. However, later you will also be taught how to install it so you can do it yourself at home.

6. Light therapy

This procedure is recommended for people whose skin does not improve despite topical medication. In addition, people whose eczema recurs easily after treatment are usually advised to do light therapy.

The simplest form of light therapy is phototherapy. Therapy is carried out by providing the skin with controlled natural sun exposure.

In addition, therapy can also use artificial UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays which are sometimes combined with certain drugs.

Although quite effective, long-term light therapy can cause premature aging of the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, light therapy is rarely used for infants and children.

Home remedies

What are some of the home remedies that can help with eczema?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with atopic eczema.

1. Avoid the triggers

Atopic dermatitis is a recurring disease. Therefore, you need to know what ingredients, conditions, or what can trigger the symptoms. Try starting with a list of each product or food that eczema does not contain.

In addition to preventing the recurrence of eczema, this method will also help you find eczema triggers that you may not have been aware of.

2. Keeps skin moisturized

Eczema sufferer's skin needs to be moisturized at least twice a day. The best time to apply moisturizer is after showering so that your skin can better lock in moisture.

Choose a moisturizing oil or cream according to your skin type. If in doubt, ask your doctor what product is suitable for your skin condition.

3. Do not scratch the skin

Scratching the skin will only make the condition worse. As much as possible, resist the urge to scratch your skin. You should also wear closed clothes to avoid friction or scratching that can injure the skin.

Don't forget to cut your nails and don't leave them long. The reason is, at night there is a possibility that you will scratch your skin without realizing it. Wear gloves if necessary to avoid scratching or scratching the skin with your nails.

4. Compress the skin

Compressing the skin with cold or warm water is one solution so that itching can be reduced. You only need to prepare a small basin of hot or cold water complete with a small towel.

Then, compress the skin whenever it feels itchy. Do not use water that is too hot, as this can dry out your skin even more.

5. Take a warm shower

Taking a warm bath can help relieve itchy skin. To be more effective, enter baking soda or oatmeal raw (colloid) into the bath. Then, soak for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Afterwards, don't forget to apply a moisturizer all over the body while the skin is still damp.

6. Use a mild soap

When the skin has problems due to eczema, it is better to look for mild soaps. Avoid soaps that contain dyes or perfumes, as they can irritate the skin. Make sure you rinse the soap thoroughly and don't let anything remain.

7. Using humidifier

Humidifier help humidify the air in your home. By keeping the air moisturized, your skin will not dry out so that the symptoms of eczema don't get worse.

8. Using fine textured clothing

Clothing with material that is soft and absorbs sweat to prevent skin irritation. When exposed to atopic dermatitis, the skin is very susceptible to injury. If the skin is injured, bacteria can easily infect and make the eczema worse.

9. Manage stress as best you can

Stress and anxiety are triggers for eczema which can make the condition worse. You can try managing stress by engaging in light meditation techniques such as taking deep breaths.

You can also find a community of people with eczema to share stories and experiences with. Knowing that you are not alone will usually reduce worrying about stressful conditions.

Eczema is a skin disease that causes chronic inflammation of the skin. Although they cannot be cured, medications and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms and prevent recurrences.