Atopic Dermatitis
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition. "Atopic" describes an inherited tendency to develop
dermatitis, asthma and hay fever. "Dermatitis" means that the skin is red and itchy. You are more
likely to have atopic dermatitis if a family member has it. It isn't contagious, which means you can't
catch it from other people.
Atopic dermatitis may start out as dry, extremely itchy skin. The rash may become very red,
swollen and sore. The more you scratch it, the worse it generally gets. A clear fluid may leak from
the rash. Eventually, the rash will crust over and start to scale. Common places for the rash are in
the elbow creases, behind the knees, on the cheeks, and on the buttocks.
When does atopic dermatitis start and how long does it last?
Atopic dermatitis usually starts during infancy and continues into childhood. There are times when
the condition gets worse (called flare-ups). Flare-ups are followed by times when the skin will heal
and there may be no signs of atopic dermatitis (called remission). Remission can last for weeks,
months or even years. Some children will outgrow atopic dermatitis, and others will still have it
when they are adults. Flare-ups in adults tend to be less severe.
What can I do if I have atopic dermatitis?
Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream or ointment to apply to the rash. This will help
reduce itching and calm inflammation. Antihistamines like hydroxyzine that reduce itching can also
help make it easier not to scratch. A new class of drugs, called immunomodulators, work well if you
have a severe rash. Two drugs in this class are tacrolimus (brand name: Protopic) and
pimecrolimus (brand name: Elidel). These drugs keep your immune system from overreacting
when stimulated by an allergen. Because they affect your immune system, the Food and Drug
Administration recommends that these drugs only be used when other treatments won't work.
How can I prevent atopic dermatitis?
Limit your contact with things that can irritate your skin. Some things that may irritate your
skin include household cleansers, detergents, aftershave lotions, soap, gasoline, turpentine
and other solvents.
Wear clothes made of cotton or a cotton blend. Wool and some synthetic fabrics can irritate
your skin.
Care for your skin in the bath or shower. Bathe only with a mild soap, such as Dove, Basis
or Oil of Olay. Use a small amount of soap when bathing. Keep the water temperature cool
or warm, not hot.
Soaking in the tub for a short time can be good for your skin because the skin's outer layer
can absorb water and become less dry. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Then use a soft towel to
pat your skin dry without rubbing. Immediately after drying, apply a moisturizer to your skin.
This helps seal in the moisture.
When your atopic dermatitis flares up, use the medicine prescribed by your doctor. Use it
right after bathing.
Use a moisturizer on your skin every day. Moisturizers help keep your skin soft and flexible.
They prevent skin cracks. A plain moisturizer is best. Avoid moisturizers with fragrances
(perfume) and a lot of extra ingredients.
Avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy area. Try not to scratch the irritated area on your skin
even if it itches. Scratching will tend to make the rash worse. Scratching can also break the
skin and lead to bacterial infection.
Avoid getting too hot and sweaty. Too much heat and sweat can make your skin more
irritated and itchy. Try to avoid activities that make you hot and sweaty. Learn how to
manage stress in your life.
Atopic dermatitis can flare up when you are under stress. Learn how to recognize and cope
with stress. Stress reduction techniques can help. Changing your activities to reduce daily
stress can also be helpful.