Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition, which creates an intense sensation of pruritus (itching), with chronic evolution.
Atopic dermatitis it characteristically affects early childhood but can start in all age groups. 60% of cases appear before the first year of life and, up to 85% of cases, they start before the age of 5.
It is estimated that 10-20% of children and 1-3% of adults suffer from atopic dermatitis and the prevalence of the disease is continuously increasing, especially in developed countries.
Atopic dermatitis – cause and mechanism
Atopic dermatitis is considered a multifactorial condition, whose clinical expression depends on complex interactions:
hereditary predisposition (70% of patients have a family history of atopy) functionally altered skin barrier (due to disorders of epidermal lipid metabolism) immunological abnormalities neuroendocrine factors a series of triggering or aggravating factors of skin lesions
Among the factors that can cause atopic dermatitisthe most frequently accused are:
food factors – cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, seafood aeroallergens – house dust mites infectious agents – Staphylococcus aureus, Pytirosporum ovale contact factors – cleaning agents containing alcohol, substances that dry the skin ( astringents), perfumes, detergents and harsh soaps tight and abrasive clothing made of wool or synthetic materials physical factors – extreme temperatures emotional stress
Atopic dermatitis – clinical manifestations
The primary and dominant symptom of atopic dermatitis is pruritus (itching), which frequently triggers a vicious circle: itching leads to itching (scratching), itching causes skin changes that, in the end, will decrease the threshold of sensitivity to stimuli (skin hyperreactivity) that triggers itching triggering, again, the itching sensation. In children, itching frequently causes interruptions in night sleep, with marked irritability secondary to insomnia due to the sensation of itching.
Atopic dermatitis – complications, natural evolution of the disease
Complications in atopic dermatitis they are mainly skin infections (bacterial, viral, fungal) due to increased skin sensitivity to various infectious agents. Also, a deficient height-weight development can be encountered as a complication (due to wrong, privative food regimes). Local or systemic complications of specific therapies for atopic dermatitis (especially corticotherapy) are not rare either.
The complications in neuropsychic and emotional development, as well as the negative impact of the disease on intra-family relationships, are not to be neglected either.
From an evolutionary point of view, it must be remembered that atopic dermatitis is a disease with a chronic and sometimes unpredictable evolution, typically marked by exacerbations that can occur despite optimal care.
Most cases of atopic dermatitis I know an improvement or even disappearance in adulthood. However, intermittent exacerbations of the disease are possible throughout life, often in conditions of physical or emotional stress.
It is also important to mention that 50% of children with atopic dermatitis develop either allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma.
2023-10-14 23:00:13
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