Info Source http://www.medicinenet.com/atopic_dermatitis/article.htm
Atopic Dermatitis
What is atopic dermatitis?
What is the difference between atopic dermatitis and eczema?
How common is atopic dermatitis?
What causes atopic dermatitis?
Is atopic dermatitis contagious?
What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis?
Can atopic dermatitis affect the face?
Is the sufferer's skin type important?
What are the stages of atopic dermatitis?
How is atopic dermatitis diagnosed?
What factors can aggravate atopic dermatitis?
What are skin irritants in patients with atopic dermatitis?
What are allergens?
What are aeroallergens?
What other factors may play a role in atopic dermatitis?
How is atopic dermatitis treated?
What is the hope for long-term management of atopic dermatitis?
Atopic Dermatitis At A Glance
Patient Discussions: Atopic Dermatitis - Describe Your Experience
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Showing posts with label Atopic Dermatitis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atopic Dermatitis. Show all posts
Monday, January 17, 2011
What is the difference between atopic dermatitis and eczema? And Types of eczema (From medicinenet.com)
Info source: http://www.medicinenet.com/atopic_dermatitis/article.htm
What is the difference between atopic dermatitis and eczema?
Eczema is used as a general term for many types of skin inflammation (dermatitis) and allergic-type skin rashes.
There are different types of eczema, like allergic, contact, irritant, and nummular eczema.
Several other forms have very similar symptoms. The diverse types of eczema are listed and briefly described below.
Atopic dermatitis is typically a more specific set of three associated conditions occurring in the same person including eczema, allergies, and asthma.
Not every component has to be present at the same time, but usually these patients are prone to all of these three related conditions.
Types of eczema
Contact eczema: a localized reaction that includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance) or with an irritant such as an irritating acid, a cleaning agent, or other chemical
Allergic contact eczema: a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions like Neosporin or Bacitracin
Seborrheic eczema (also called seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea): is a very common form of mild skin inflammation of unknown cause that presents as yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin on the scalp, face, ears, and occasionally other parts of the body. Often this is also called dandruff in adults or "cradle cap" in infants.
Nummular eczema: coin-shaped (round), isolated patches of irritated skin -- most commonly on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs -- that may be crusted, scaling, and extremely itchy
Neurodermatitis: a very particular type of dermatitis where the person frequently picks at their skin, causing rashes. The underling cause may be a sensitivity or irritation which sets off a cascade of repeated itching and scratching cycles. It may be seen as scratch marks and pick marks on the skin. Sometimes scaly patches of skin on the head, lower legs, wrists, or forearms caused by a localized itch (such as an insect bite) may become intensely irritated when scratched.
Stasis dermatitis: a skin irritation on the lower legs, generally related to circulatory problems and congestion of the leg veins. It may have a darker pigmentation, light-brown, or purplish-red discoloration from the congestion and back up of the blood in the leg veins. It's sometimes seen more in legs with varicose veins.
Dyshidrotic eczema: irritation of the skin on the palms of hands (mostly) and less commonly soles of the feet characterized by clear, very deep-seated blisters that itch and burn. It's sometimes described as a "tapioca pudding"-like rash on the palms.
What is the difference between atopic dermatitis and eczema?
Eczema is used as a general term for many types of skin inflammation (dermatitis) and allergic-type skin rashes.
There are different types of eczema, like allergic, contact, irritant, and nummular eczema.
Several other forms have very similar symptoms. The diverse types of eczema are listed and briefly described below.
Atopic dermatitis is typically a more specific set of three associated conditions occurring in the same person including eczema, allergies, and asthma.
Not every component has to be present at the same time, but usually these patients are prone to all of these three related conditions.
Types of eczema
Contact eczema: a localized reaction that includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance) or with an irritant such as an irritating acid, a cleaning agent, or other chemical
Allergic contact eczema: a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions like Neosporin or Bacitracin
Seborrheic eczema (also called seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea): is a very common form of mild skin inflammation of unknown cause that presents as yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin on the scalp, face, ears, and occasionally other parts of the body. Often this is also called dandruff in adults or "cradle cap" in infants.
Nummular eczema: coin-shaped (round), isolated patches of irritated skin -- most commonly on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs -- that may be crusted, scaling, and extremely itchy
Neurodermatitis: a very particular type of dermatitis where the person frequently picks at their skin, causing rashes. The underling cause may be a sensitivity or irritation which sets off a cascade of repeated itching and scratching cycles. It may be seen as scratch marks and pick marks on the skin. Sometimes scaly patches of skin on the head, lower legs, wrists, or forearms caused by a localized itch (such as an insect bite) may become intensely irritated when scratched.
Stasis dermatitis: a skin irritation on the lower legs, generally related to circulatory problems and congestion of the leg veins. It may have a darker pigmentation, light-brown, or purplish-red discoloration from the congestion and back up of the blood in the leg veins. It's sometimes seen more in legs with varicose veins.
Dyshidrotic eczema: irritation of the skin on the palms of hands (mostly) and less commonly soles of the feet characterized by clear, very deep-seated blisters that itch and burn. It's sometimes described as a "tapioca pudding"-like rash on the palms.
What is atopic dermatitis? (From medicinenet.com)
Info Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/atopic_dermatitis/article.htm
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a very common, often chronic (long-lasting) skin disease that affects a large percentage of the world's population. It is also called eczema, dermatitis, or atopy.
Most commonly, it may be thought of as a type of skin allergy or sensitivity.
The atopic dermatitis triad includes asthma, allergies (hay fever), and eczema. There is a known hereditary component of the disease, and it is seen more in some families. The hallmarks of the disease include skin rashes and itching.
The word "dermatitis" means inflammation of the skin. "Atopic" refers to diseases that are hereditary, tend to run in families, and often occur together.
In atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes extremely itchy and inflamed, causing redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, crusting, and scaling.
Dry skin is a very common complaint and an underlying cause of some of the typical rash symptoms.
Although atopic dermatitis can occur in any age, most often it affects infants and young children. In some instances, it may persist into adulthood or actually first show up later in life.
A large number of patients tend to have a long-term course with various ups and downs. In most cases, there are periods of time when the disease is worse, called exacerbations or flares, which are followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions.
Many children with atopic dermatitis enter into a permanent remission of the disease when they get older, although their skin may remain somewhat dry and easily irritated.
Multiple factors can trigger or worsen atopic dermatitis, including dry skin, seasonal allergies, exposure to harsh soaps and detergents, new skin products or creams, and cold weather.
Environmental factors can activate symptoms of atopic dermatitis at any time in the lives of individuals who have inherited the atopic disease trait.
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a very common, often chronic (long-lasting) skin disease that affects a large percentage of the world's population. It is also called eczema, dermatitis, or atopy.
Most commonly, it may be thought of as a type of skin allergy or sensitivity.
The atopic dermatitis triad includes asthma, allergies (hay fever), and eczema. There is a known hereditary component of the disease, and it is seen more in some families. The hallmarks of the disease include skin rashes and itching.
The word "dermatitis" means inflammation of the skin. "Atopic" refers to diseases that are hereditary, tend to run in families, and often occur together.
In atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes extremely itchy and inflamed, causing redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, crusting, and scaling.
Dry skin is a very common complaint and an underlying cause of some of the typical rash symptoms.
Although atopic dermatitis can occur in any age, most often it affects infants and young children. In some instances, it may persist into adulthood or actually first show up later in life.
A large number of patients tend to have a long-term course with various ups and downs. In most cases, there are periods of time when the disease is worse, called exacerbations or flares, which are followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions.
Many children with atopic dermatitis enter into a permanent remission of the disease when they get older, although their skin may remain somewhat dry and easily irritated.
Multiple factors can trigger or worsen atopic dermatitis, including dry skin, seasonal allergies, exposure to harsh soaps and detergents, new skin products or creams, and cold weather.
Environmental factors can activate symptoms of atopic dermatitis at any time in the lives of individuals who have inherited the atopic disease trait.
What are allergens? (for the topic of Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema) (From medicinenet.com)
Info source: http://www.medicinenet.com/atopic_dermatitis/page8.htm
What are allergens?
Allergens are substances from foods, plants, or animals that provoke an overreaction of the immune system and cause inflammation (in this case, the skin).
Inflammation can occur even when the person is exposed to small amounts of the allergen for a limited time. Some examples of allergens are pollen and dog or cat dander (tiny particles from the animal's skin or hair).
When people with atopic dermatitis come into contact with an irritant or allergen to which they are sensitive, inflammation-producing cells permeate the skin from elsewhere in the body.
These cells release chemicals that cause itching and redness. As the person scratches and rubs the skin in response, further damage occurs.
Certain foods act as allergens and may trigger atopic dermatitis or exacerbate it (cause it to become worse).
Food allergens clearly play a role in a number of cases of atopic dermatitis, primarily in infants and children.
An allergic reaction to food can cause skin inflammation (generally hives), gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea), upper respiratory tract symptoms (congestion, sneezing), and wheezing.
The most common allergy-causing (allergenic) foods are eggs, peanuts, milk, fish, soy products, and wheat.
Although the data remain inconclusive, some studies suggest that mothers of children with a family history of atopic diseases should avoid eating commonly allergenic foods themselves during late pregnancy and while they are breastfeeding the baby.
Although not all researchers agree, most experts think that breastfeeding the infant for at least four months may have a protective effect for the child.
If a food allergy is suspected, it may be helpful to keep a careful diary of everything the patient eats, noting any reactions.
Identifying the food allergen may be difficult and require supervision by an allergist if the patient is also being exposed to other allergens.
One helpful way to explore the possibility of a food allergy is to eliminate the suspected food and then, if improvement is noticed, reintroduce it into the diet under carefully controlled conditions.
A two week trial is usually sufficient for each food. If the food being tested causes no symptoms after two weeks, a different food can be tested in like manner afterward.
Likewise, if the elimination of a food does not result in improvement after two weeks, other foods may be eliminated in turn.
Changing the diet of a person who has atopic dermatitis may not always relieve symptoms. A change may be helpful, however, when a patient's medical history and specific symptoms strongly suggest a food allergy.
It is up to the patient and his or her family and physician to judge whether the dietary restrictions outweigh the impact of the disease itself.
Restricted diets often are emotionally and financially difficult for patients and their families to follow. Unless properly monitored, diets with many restrictions can also contribute to nutritional problems in children.
What are allergens?
Allergens are substances from foods, plants, or animals that provoke an overreaction of the immune system and cause inflammation (in this case, the skin).
Inflammation can occur even when the person is exposed to small amounts of the allergen for a limited time. Some examples of allergens are pollen and dog or cat dander (tiny particles from the animal's skin or hair).
When people with atopic dermatitis come into contact with an irritant or allergen to which they are sensitive, inflammation-producing cells permeate the skin from elsewhere in the body.
These cells release chemicals that cause itching and redness. As the person scratches and rubs the skin in response, further damage occurs.
Certain foods act as allergens and may trigger atopic dermatitis or exacerbate it (cause it to become worse).
Food allergens clearly play a role in a number of cases of atopic dermatitis, primarily in infants and children.
An allergic reaction to food can cause skin inflammation (generally hives), gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea), upper respiratory tract symptoms (congestion, sneezing), and wheezing.
The most common allergy-causing (allergenic) foods are eggs, peanuts, milk, fish, soy products, and wheat.
Although the data remain inconclusive, some studies suggest that mothers of children with a family history of atopic diseases should avoid eating commonly allergenic foods themselves during late pregnancy and while they are breastfeeding the baby.
Although not all researchers agree, most experts think that breastfeeding the infant for at least four months may have a protective effect for the child.
If a food allergy is suspected, it may be helpful to keep a careful diary of everything the patient eats, noting any reactions.
Identifying the food allergen may be difficult and require supervision by an allergist if the patient is also being exposed to other allergens.
One helpful way to explore the possibility of a food allergy is to eliminate the suspected food and then, if improvement is noticed, reintroduce it into the diet under carefully controlled conditions.
A two week trial is usually sufficient for each food. If the food being tested causes no symptoms after two weeks, a different food can be tested in like manner afterward.
Likewise, if the elimination of a food does not result in improvement after two weeks, other foods may be eliminated in turn.
Changing the diet of a person who has atopic dermatitis may not always relieve symptoms. A change may be helpful, however, when a patient's medical history and specific symptoms strongly suggest a food allergy.
It is up to the patient and his or her family and physician to judge whether the dietary restrictions outweigh the impact of the disease itself.
Restricted diets often are emotionally and financially difficult for patients and their families to follow. Unless properly monitored, diets with many restrictions can also contribute to nutritional problems in children.
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