Sunday, November 17

Atopic dermatitis, a very common skin disease

The skin covers the entire surface of the body, from head to toe. Although many associate skin care with an aesthetic issue, the skin has its own functions and can be seen as an organ.

Functions of the skin

The skin has a large number of functions vital to the human body, the skin works As a protective layer against infectious agents and the environment, it gives us the sensation of touch and is also able to help regulate temperature, electrolytes and liquids.

    • Skin care

    Atopic Dermatitis

    The skin, like any other organ or component of the human body, can suffer from diseases. Atopic dermatitis is a common reaction that has been associated with allergic conditions.

    The term “atopy” is used to describe the production of antibodies (Immunoglobulin E) to exposure to environmental proteins such as pollen, household dust or certain foods. Atopy has been associated with other conditions such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.

    In atomic dermatitis , a defect in a protein called “filaggrin ”Causes the skin to be exposed to environmental allergens causing an inflammatory reaction, discomfort and itching.

    Atopic dermatitis is a condition suffered by more than 17 millions of people in the US. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the diagnosis is made based on medical evaluation, it is more common to detect this disease when patients are children under 2 years and only 10% of cases are reported after 5 years.

    Lesions in atopic dermatitis

    Lesions in atopic dermatitis present in three forms depending on the time in which they are detected. Making the diagnosis can be difficult due to the variable presentation of this disease, if suspected, it is advisable to go to your health provider for a medical evaluation.

    Phases of atopic dermatitis

    The earliest phase (acute phase) is characterized by small blisters with clear fluid that can form a kind of scabs, commonly the lesions can be found on the front of the elbows or the back of the knees (flexor surfaces), the subacute phase is the next step of the manifestation with small hives and plaques on scaly and dry skin, we can also find a chronic phase in which the skin becomes like a scar (lichenification) due to continuous scratching.

    How to control atopic dermatitis?

    Atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease and not it can be cured in its entirety, yet it can be controlled. Its treatment seeks to eliminate the appearance of the allergic reaction “outbreaks” and in case of outbreaks, reduce the discomfort it generates and reduce the time they appear.

    For the initial treatment, the recommendation of adequate skin hydration is essential, if medications are required, topical steroids or antihistamines can be used.

    The skin is a tissue that performs important functions in the body Observing lesions that can be associated with conditions such as atopic dermatitis can be used to go to a health provider, receive a timely diagnosis and treatment.