Atopic dermatitis, commonly called Eczema, is a skin-related allergic inflammation very commonly found in young children. This disease often transitions into adulthood as these children grow up. It is a disease that requires proper treatment and management by an experienced doctor like Dr. Aaron Davis in Gilbert.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a disease where the immune system starts attacking the skin of the person and causes a dry and itchy rash, especially in the flexor regions of the body like the insides of elbows, creases on the wrist, and back of the knees. It also affects the exposed surfaces of the skin like hands, feet, and face.
This disease is actually caused by a cycle of allergens entering the skin and coming in contact with the sensitized cells of the body. The environmental allergens permeate the skin and sensitize some cells, when these cells come into contact with the allergen again, it activates the immune system which attacks these cells by producing chemicals to fight it. Attack by the immune system causes inflammation, which in turn makes the skin more porous and moisture escapes easily, which further makes the allergens enter the skin easily. Since the body is dry and scaly, it becomes itchier, when it is scratched it is damaged further, thus it again allows allergens and sometimes even bacterias to enter the system.
Eczema sometimes even takes worse forms, which can lead to blisters and peeling of the skin on the surface where rash patches exist. Later with time, the skin can even become lichenified, which literally means turning into leather.
What are the triggers that worsen the condition?
- Cigarette smoke is really bad for Eczema.
- Mold and dust mites can further the disease.
- Stress is also not good and can make matters worse.
- Weather changes also adversely affect the condition.
Things that might help in Breaking the cycle:
- Identify the triggers and try to avoid them as much as possible.
- Avoid overheating of the body, wearing soft fabrics also help in achieving this.
- Managing stress can also be very useful.
- You must keep the skin moisturized, so moisturizers come in handy.
- You must keep your nails short and avoid scratching the surface which is affected.
Eczema is a non-communicable disease but has a lot of social stigma attached to it which results in depression and social anxiety in the person suffering from it, and we must all work together to do away with the stigma.
