Atopic dermatitis(AD), also calledatopic eczema, is the most common form of eczema.
Up to 70% of children with AD go into clinical remission before they reach adolescence.
AD is a chronic condition that relapses and remits (goes into periods of remission).
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Sometimes, other medications or treatments are necessary.
AD can be the first step in the “atopic march” sequence of conditions.
Adults may have dry, scaly patches on the hands,eyelids, orgenitals.
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Symptoms can vary but may include:
AD can look different on different skin tones.
People who have mild AD may find they canmanage their conditionwith home remedies alone.
Education
Talk to your healthcare provider about how to care for your skin with AD.
Learn how to look for and avoidthings that trigger flare-upsor worsen your symptoms.
It also helps to remove crusts, scales, allergens, bacteria, and irritants.
This helps to seal in the moisture from bathing.
Moisturizing
Using emollients regularlyand in liberal amounts is essential for preventing and treating AD flare-ups.
They are important for both flare-up treatment and regular skin maintenance.
The same is true for how often to apply it.
The concentration of a diluted bleach bath is similar to the amount of chlorine in a swimming pool.
A systemic review found no quality evidence to show they are better than conventional topical therapies like corticosteroids.
Wet wrap therapy is typically recommended forpeople whose AD is difficult to manage, especially during flare-ups.
Wet wrap therapymay involve:
Avoiding Scratching
Scratching can make AD worse.
What works for some people doesn’t work for others, and each plan shouldbe individualized.
In addition to keeping up your skin care routine, your healthcare provider may recommend using topical corticosteroids.
This is the typical first-line treatment for AD flare-ups.
ensure to apply topical corticosteroids directly to the affected areas before applying emollients, not after.
This helps the medication work effectively.
AD is most common in childhood but can persist into or begin in adulthood.
Wet wrap therapy may help some people with AD during a flare-up.
IfAD is more severe or persistent, prescription medications and/or light therapy may be necessary.
Treatment plans should be individualized.Talk to your healthcare providerto determine what is right for you.
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