Atopic dermatitis may not be talked about often, but it can cause trouble and reduce confidence, and can lead to a loss of good personality if symptoms occur.

What is atopic dermatitis?

Professor Dr. Kanokwalai Kultanant, Head of the Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University,  said that atopic dermatitis is a chronic dermatitis that comes. And goes from allergic reactions and many factors together. Causing the skin to be dry, easily irritated, and develop red, itchy rashes on various parts of the body. It is often found in children, but it can occur in people of all ages and genders. The incidence of this disease in Thai children is about 10-20 percent, while adults are less common.

Causes of atopic dermatitis

The cause of atopic dermatitis is still unknown. It is believed that genetics may be involved because most patients have a family history of allergies. Such as allergies to the air, frequent coughing and sneezing, asthma, or atopic dermatitis.

However, people with no family history of allergies can still develop the disease, as genetic disorders can be hidden without causing symptoms.

In addition, important contributing factors are the environment, such as food, dust mites, irritants, or allergens. The patient’s skin is sensitive to the surrounding environment, both physical conditions, such as too hot or too cold weather. Or chemicals that irritate the skin, as well as living things, such as insects, germs, etc.

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis

There are 3 types of symptoms of atopic dermatitis in patients:

• Acute rash is a very red, swollen and itchy rash with red bumps, blisters, and in some cases, pus may ooze.
  
• Subacute rash is a rash and red bumps that are itchy and scaly. There may be some blisters, but no pus is seen on the rash.
  
• Chronic rash is a rash that is not very red or brown in color. May be raised, thick, itchy, scaly, and have visible skin grooves.

The location of the rash varies depending on the age of the patient. In infants, dermatitis is often found on the face, neck, and outside of the arms and legs. Because these areas rub against pillows and bed sheets because they are very itchy. In school-aged children and adults, dermatitis is often found on the folds of the arms, legs, and neck. And In severe cases, the rash can occur all over the body. Some patients may also have allergic rhinitis, eye allergies, or asthma. Some patients may also have other skin diseases, such as milk lichen, dark circles and wrinkles under the eyes, dry and flaky lips, deep palmar veins, ingrown hair, rough skin like chicken skin, cracked and dry skin on the shins, etc.

Initial symptoms of atopic dermatitis

About 50 percent of cases occur in children in their first year of life and about 85 percent occur in children in their first 5 years of life. The disease is usually chronic and recurring. Most cases gradually improve.

As patients age, approximately 40-50 percent of patients experience improvement in symptoms by age 10. Some children may continue to have chronic symptoms into adulthood.

While some people may develop atopic dermatitis in adulthood, diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is largely based on clinical features, skin testing, blood tests for antibodies to various allergens, or food allergy testing.

There is no need for a diagnosis, but if symptoms do not improve. With proper and appropriate treatment or become more severe, your doctor may consider performing these tests or selecting additional laboratory tests as appropriate for each patient to find triggers that may cause a flare-up of the disease.

The goal of treatment for atopic dermatitis

Try to control symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and keep the disease in remission for as long as possible until it goes away.

Treatment methods include avoiding factors that exacerbate symptoms, applying moisturizers to prevent dry skin, such as lotions and moisturizers. Apply them immediately after bathing, and avoid bathing too frequently, as this will make the skin even drier.

Use of topical medications to reduce skin inflammation 

Apply to the rash area with redness and inflammation. When the symptoms are under control, the medication should be reduced or stopped. In cases where the rash is severe and covers a wide area, the doctor may prescribe oral medication. Currently, there is treatment by injection, which is an advanced treatment for this disease. Doctors will choose to use it in cases. ufabet http://ufabet999.app Where the symptoms are moderate to severe and do not respond to general treatment, and should be under the care of a doctor.

However,  if patients suspect that they have atopic dermatitis, they should see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Chronic diseases can affect the mental state and quality of life of the patient and their family,  such as sleep, study, work, confidence, and socializing. Some patients may choose to wear clothes that cover many parts of their body due to embarrassment, which affects their lives. If they see a doctor and receive proper treatment. It can help prevent the recurrence of the rash, improve their quality of life, and allow the patient to participate in society normally.